Following a long history of cultivation, coupled with the ease by which hybridisation can occur within the genus Cistus, it has become very difficult to devise a workable taxonomy for all the commercially significant taxa, Previous systems have recognised anything from 1 - 167 ‘good’ species in the genus. Work is ongoing to produce a workable monograph of the genus and in the meantime we are following the the treatment proposed by D.J. Mabberley (A classification for edible citrus: an update, with a note on Murraya (Rutaceae), in Telopea 25: 271-284, 2022).
The parentagege of Citrus × iaurantiifolia s (male) Citrus medica × (female) Citrus hystrix.

Common Name: Lime

General Information

Citrus aurantiifolia is a small, densely and irregularly branched evergreen tree growing up to 5 metres tall[]. Its twigs are armed with short, stiff, sharp spines[].
The tree is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas, especially the West Indies, Mexico, Florida, Egypt and southeast Asia, for its edible fruit[, , ]. It is an everyday ingredient in the food of southeast Asia, where trees are commonly grown in the garden as well as commercially[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Asia - probably originating in northern India and Myanmar.

Habitat

Not known in a truly wild situation.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	4.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated

Cultivation Details

Three main climates are suitable for commercial citrus production - tropical climates, subtropical with winter rain such as in the Mediterranean and semitropical with summer rainfall as found in Florida and southern Brazil[]. Limes grow at elevations up to 2,200 metres[]. The optimal temperatures for their cultivation range between 25 - 30°c, with the coldest month having an average minimum of at least 15°c[]. Growth generally ceases below 13°c and above 38°c[]. They are most competitive in areas that receive from about 700 to 1,000 mm of mean annual precipitation[]. If there are dry periods of more than three months, then irrigation will be necessary[].
Prefers a deep, well-drained but moisture-retentive loamy soil in full sun[]. The tree is quite drought-resistant[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 6.5, tolerating 4.8 - 8.3[].
Plants can flower and produce fruit all year round[].
Layered trees can produce fruit in the second year after planting, but growers aim at maximum growth to get a more substantial crop in the third year[].
The average yield of lime in Thailand during the 1988/1989 season was 2,400 kg/ha. In India trees are expected to bear 600 - 1,500 fruits per year[].
A high incidence of bacterial canker is a limiting factor for growing limes in the wet tropics[].
Limes hybridize freely with other Citrus species, and many hybrids are known, e.g. Lemonimes (lime x lemon), Limequats (lime x kumquat)[]. Limes are divided horticulturally into acid and sweet limes[].
There are many named varieties[, ].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw, cooked or used as a flavouring. A thin-skinned, very acid, juicy, fragrant fruit[, ], it is mainly used to add flavour and as a garnish[]. The rich flavour and acid taste make lime a favourite for hot and spicy dishes, either fresh or in the form of pickles and sauces[]. They can also be made into jams, marmalades, jellies and juices (usually combined with other fruits)[, , ]. Dried limes are widely used in Persian cuisine[]. The ovate fruit is 3 - 6cm in diameter[].

The chopped peel is used to make a sweetmeat[, ].

The leaves are sometimes added to soups[]. Used as a condiment in Javanese dishes[].

Medicinal

The lime is an aromatic, astringent, cooling herb. Various part of the plant are used medicinally, especially the leaves, fruit, peel and essential oils[].

An infusion of the leaves is taken internally in the treatment of minor complaints such as bilious headaches and colds[, ]. An infusion of the leaves, combined with Renealmia guianensis leaves, is drunk to induce an abortion[].
The leaves are combined with the leaves of Begonia glabra and Ocimum campechianum to make a bath for very hot feet[].

The juice of the fruit is used to treat 'viccis', a fever that leads to a desire to sleep and uncontrollably relaxed digestive muscles[] The juice is added to various medicinal preparations, especially for the treatment of diarrhoea, chest colds and fevers[, ]. It is mixed with grated garlic and some water and drunk for snakebite[].
Applied externally, the juice is used to cleanse wounds[]. It is mixed with oil and rubbed on the stomach to relieve sagging muscles of the sexual organs[]. It is used for the treatment of ground itch and for dandruff [].

The root is anthelmintic and contraceptive[]. It is used for treating haemorrhages and venereal disease[]. The roots are boiled, the water mixed with alcohol, and drunk to abort a foetus up to six weeks old[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The lime is especially well adapted for hedges. It grows readily either from seed or from cuttings. It sends up stout vertical shoots from the roots and forms dense thickets if left undisturbed[].

Other Uses

An essential oil, obtained from the peel and known as lime oil, is a good source of chitral[, ]. It is used in the manufacture of perfume, soap, chewing gum, food, and sweets.
Another essential oil, known as lime-leaf oil, is obtained from the leaves[].

A semi-drying oil is obtained from the seed[]. Used in making soap[].

Propagation

The seed is best sown in containers as soon as it is ripe, after thoroughly rinsing it[, ]. Sow stored seed in containers as soon as possible]. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks at 13°c. Seedlings are liable to damp off so they must be watered with care and kept well ventilated. The seed is usually polyembryonic, two or more seedlings arise from each seed and they are genetically identical to the parent but they do not usually carry any virus that might be present in the parent plant[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until they are 10cm or more tall before planting out into their permanent positions.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. This species grows easily from cuttings[].
Air layering[].

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