Lime
Citrus aurantiifolia

Family: Rutaceae

What it is like

A small much branched evergreen tree. It grows up to 5-6 m tall with short sharp spines. It spreads to 3 m across. The leaves are small and dark green. There are narrow wings on the leaf stalk. The leaf blade is about 5 cm long by 3 cm wide and oval. They have a sweet smell when crushed. There is a thorn at the base of each leaf. (Thorn free kinds are known). The flowers are yellowish white. They are 2.5 cm across and have 5 petals. The flowers are produced in the leaf axils or at the ends of branches. The fruit is small, round 3-4 cm across and become pale orange to yellow when ripe. They are thin skinned. The flesh of the fruit is green. West Indian limes with larger, better fruit also occur. There are several named cultivated varieties.

There are 20 Citrus species. Several hybrids have been formed.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They need a warm climate and are most common in coastal regions in the lowland tropics. They grow from sea level to 2200 m altitude in Papua New Guinea. They suit humid areas and can survive in poor soils. Light to medium well drained soils are best. It is drought and frost tender. In Hobart Botanical gardens. It grows in Nepal to about 1800 m altitude. It can grow in alkaline soil. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andes, Asia (country/location of origin), Australia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Caribbean, Caroline Islands, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America, China, Chuuk, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, FSM, Ghana, Guam, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia (country/location of origin), Maldives, Marquesas, Mediterranean, Mexico, Micronesia, Middle East, Myanmar (country/location of origin), Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Niue, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Pohnpei, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, Sahel, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Tahiti, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

They are mainly used for juice and drinks. They are preserved in syrup and made into jam, jelly and marmalade. They can be used in pickles. It is used as a coagulant in the manufacture of soft cheeses. The chopped peel can be made into a sweetmeat with milk and coconut. The minced leaves are eaten with roast meat. They are also added to soups.

Moderately common in coastal areas of Papua New Guinea. It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Fruit, herb, spice, leaves - flavouring

How it is grown

They are often grown from seed but are better if grafted. Plants can be grown by cuttings. A spacing of 4-5 metres is suitable. When grown from seed, several shoots may develop from the one seed, which means the seedlings may be identical to the parent.

Trees can start producing fruit quickly. They fruit in 5-6 years. They normally produce fruit all the year round. Fruit drop when mature. Black limes are sun dried limes. They are 2.5-4 cm across.

Its other names

Local names

Ambu, Angy, Arunam, Besenta, Chanh, Chanh ta, Chulukzapa, Dayap, Dehi, Derem, Elumichai, Erumichinaraham, Hindehi, Jambiri, Jeruk nipis, Jeruk sambal, Kagati, Kaghzi nimbu, Kaghzinimbu, Kagji-nemi, Karer, Key lime, Khatalimbu, Kro'ch chma, Laihpawma, Laim, Laranja-lima, Lawihkri, Laimi, Laini, Lemmetje, Lemon riri'i, Lima-da-persia, Limau asam, Limbe, Limon criollo, Limon mexicana, Lunboa, Maksun-ting, Manao, Mdimu, Moli laimi, Nabbu kaghdi, Nimbe, Nimma, Obulimawa, Patinebu, Peren, Pohon jeruk nipis, Rimo, Shalawi, Shauk-cho, Somma nao, Suan Ningmeng, Sweet lime, Te raim, Thanbaya-cho, Thesikkai, Tsioha, Tumeng, West Indian Lime

Synonyms

Citrus acida Roxb.; Citrus hystrix subsp. acida (Roxb.) Engl.; Citrus javanica Blume; Citrus lima Lunan; Citrus limetta var. aromatica Wester; Citrus medica var. acida (Roxb.) Hook. f.; Citrus notissima Blanco; Limonia aurantiifolia Christm.;