Orangeberry, Pink Lime
Glycosmis pentaphylla

Family: Rutaceae

What it is like

A spineless shrub or tree. It grows 2-6 m tall and spreads 1-3 m wide. The young shoots are bright green. The leaves are 10-18 cm long. The leaves are compound with 1 to 5 leaflets. The leaflets are 6-12 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. The edges are entire and they are arranged alternately. Leaflets taper to the tip. The flowers are small in short narrow irregular flower arrangements in the axils of leaves. The flowers are 0.6 cm wide and white. They have a scent. The fruit is round and fleshy and is a 1 to 3 seeded berry. The fruit is 0.8-1 cm wide. The fruit are edible.

A food plant of the Capaneus butterfly. There are about 60 Glycosmis species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. Plants need a shady or protected position. They need a well drained soil. They occur in the Philippines from Palawan and also in Mindanao in secondary forests at low and medium altitudes. In China it grows between 600-1,200 m above sea level. Adelaide Botanical Gardens. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Central America, China, Cuba, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fleshy portion of the ripe fruit is eaten raw.

It is a cultivated plant. The fruit are popular.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed germinate erratically. It can also be grown from cuttings.

Plants are slow growing. In southern India plants flower and fruit September to April.

Its other names

Local names

Anam, Arai bwlai, As-sera, Ash-sheora, Ashshoura, Ashvashakota, Ban-nimbu, Brem beri, Chauladhua, Chowaldua, Datmajani, Dieng-soh-sning, Girgitti, Golugu, Gongipadu, Gurodagida, Hengena-poka, Hengnapoka, Jamaica mandarin orange, Kirmira, Kula pannai, Kuttipanal, Linauin, Maik-talon, Manikyan, Matkhila, Mauk, Melaekulukki, Naranjita de cristal, Obok, Panal, Panam palam, Panchi, Panni-chedi, Pathalagarudi, Phlaing, Phleang, Potail, Rum beri, Taw-shauk, Vananimbuka

Synonyms

Limonia pentaphylla Retz.; Glycosmis arborea (Roxb.) A. DC.;