Citrus aurantifolia (Christm. & Panzer)

Citrus aurantifolia (Christm. & Panzer)

Family

Rutaceae

Synonyms

Limonia aurantifolia Christm. & Panzer, Citrus javanica Blume, Citrus notissima Blanco.

Vernacular Names

Malaysia

Limau asam, limau nipis.

English

Lime, sour lime, common lime.

Indonesia

Jeruk nipis, jeruk pecel.

Papua New Guinea

Muli (Pidgin).

Philippines

Dayap.

Cambodia

Krôôch chhmaa muul.

Laos

Naaw.

Thailand

Somma nao, manao.

Vietnam

Chanh, chanh ta.

French

Lime acide, limettier.

Geographical Distributions

Citrus aurantifolia is believed to have originated in northern India and adjoining parts of Burma, or in northern Malesia. Amazingly, there are no records of wild lime in Thailand. It is now cultivated throughout the tropics and in warm subtropical areas.

Description

Citrus aurantifolia is an evergreen small tree, densely and irregularly branched. It is about 5 m tall. The twigs are armed with short stiff sharp spines.

The leaves are arranged alternate, elliptic to oblong-egg-shaped, and measuring 4-8 cm x 2-5 cm. Their margin is slightly crenate.The leaf stalk is narrowly winged.

The inflorescences are short axillary racemes with 1-7(-10) flowers. The flowers are small and white in bud. The sepal is cup-shaped and 4-6-lobed while there are 4-6 petals measuring 8-12 mm long. There are 20-25(-34) stamens and a 9-12(-15)-celled ovary with abruptly distinct style.

The fruit is a spherical to ovoid berry, measures 3-6 cm in diametre, sometimes with apical papillae and greenish-yellow. Its peel is very thin and densely glandular. The segments are with yellow-green pulp-vesicles, very acidic, juicy and fragrant.

The seeds are small, plump, ovoid, pale and smooth with white embryos (polyembryonic).   

Ecology / Cultivation

Citrus aurantifolia can grow up to 1000 m altitude or more. The tree is sensitive to cold but is quite drought-resistant. High incidence of bacterial canker is a limiting factor in the wet tropics; under dry conditions, irrigation is necessary to obtain good quality fruits. It can grow on poor soils and tolerate heavier soils than oranges, provided that good drainage prevents waterlogging.

Line Drawing / Photograph

 

 

Citrus_aurantifolia

Read more

    1) Cultivation

    2) Safety

References

  1. Plant Resources of South-East Asia No.2: Edible fruits and nuts.