Common Name: Tahiti Lime

General Information

Tahiti lime is a nearly thornless, evergreen tree with widespread, drooping branches, growing up to 6 metres tall[].
The fruits are widely used, being exported to markets around the world. The plant is cultivated in many areas, especially Tahiti, Florida, California, Brazil, Venezuela and Portugal[].

Known Hazards

Excessive exposure to the essential oil in the peel of the fruit may cause dermatitis[]. Rolling the fruit between the hands before squeezing in order to extract more of the juice will coat the hands with oil and this will be transferred to whatever parts of the body are touched before washing the hands[]. Subsequent exposure to sunlight often results in brown or red areas that itch intensely, and sometimes severe blistering[].
The sap of the tree and scratches by the thorns may cause rash in sensitive individuals[].

Botanical References

Range

A species of garden origin.

Habitat

Not known in the wild

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	5.00 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[]. The optimal temperatures for citrus 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[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,200 - 1,500mm, but tolerates 750 - 2,300mm[]. 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[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 5 - 7.5[, ].
The plant flowers and fruits all year round but with a distinct fruiting peak towards the end of summer[].
Yields of 41 kilos of fruit have been obtained from trees 2 metres tall[].
Tahiti lime flowers have no viable pollen[]. When grown on their own they produce a fruit that is usually seedless, rarely the fruit may contain one or a few seeds, especially if planted among a number of other Citrus species[].

Edible Uses

The fruits are used for making drinks[]. The pulp is succulent, firm, very acidic and sugarless[]. The juice is used as a substitute for vinegar[].

Medicinal

The juice of the fruit is utilized medicinally[].
Lime juice, given quickly, is an effective antidote for the painful oral irritation and inflammation that result from biting into aroids such as Dieffenbachia spp., Xanthosoma spp., Philodendron spp., and their allies[]. Lime juice has also been applied to relieve the effects of stinging corals[].

Citrus species contain a wide range of active ingredients and research is still underway in finding uses for them. They are rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, acids and volatile oils. They also contain coumarins such as bergapten which sensitizes the skin to sunlight. Bergapten is sometimes added to tanning preparations since it promotes pigmentation in the skin, though it can cause dermatitis or allergic responses in some people[]. Some of the plants more recent applications are as sources of anti-oxidants and chemical exfoliants in specialized cosmetics[].

Other Uses

An essential oil is extracted from the peel of the fruit[].

Lime juice is employed as a rinse after shampooing the hair. Light streaks have been bleached in the hair by applying lime juice and then going out into the sun for a time[].

Lime juice has been applied on the face as a freshening lotion[].

The acid juice can be used for cleaning items such as the inside of coffee and teapots[]. Dilute lime juice will dissolve, overnight, calcium deposits in kettles[].

Propagation

Seed -

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