Citrus latifolia

(Yu. Tanaka) Tanaka

Bears' Lime, Tahitian lime, Persian lime

Rutaceae Edible: Fruit 1,735 iNaturalist observations

food

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Summary

Evergreen tree growing 5 m tall by 5 m wide at a medium rate. Hardy to UK zone 10. Flowers are insect-pollinated. Notable for attracting wildlife. Grows in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Suitable for mildly acidic and neutral soils. Tolerates semi-shade (light woodland) and prefers moist soil.

Description

A small evergreen tree. It is almost thornless. It grows 1.8-4.5 m high. The branches droop. The leaves have broad, flat-winged leaf stalks. Young leaves are mauve. The flowers have a purple tinge and have a scent. They occur throughout the year. The fruit is medium sized, green and very sour. The fruit are round. They are 3-4 cm across. They can be 8-10 cm across. The skin is thin and smooth. The skin remains bright green when ripe. The pulp is green and seedless.

Edible Uses

The seedless, juicy, thin-skinned fruit has a translucent pale green flesh that is tender, very acidic, and sugarless, with an authentic lime flavour. The fruit is approximately 6cm in diameter, often with slightly nippled ends, and is usually sold while still green, though it yellows at full ripeness. Fruits are used to make drinks, and the juice can substitute for vinegar. It is also widely available dried, as it is commonly used in Persian cuisine. Compared to Key Lime (Citrus aurantifolia), Tahitian Lime is larger and thicker-skinned, with less intense citrus aromatics. It is less acidic than key limes and lacks their characteristic bitterness.

Traditional Uses

The fruit is used for juice and processed products.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The fruit juice is used medicinally. Given quickly, lime juice is an effective antidote for the painful oral irritation and inflammation caused by biting into aroids such as Dieffenbachia spp., Xanthosoma spp., Philodendron spp., and related species. It is also applied to relieve the effects of stinging corals. Citrus species are rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, acids, and volatile oils, and research into their active ingredients is ongoing. They contain coumarins such as bergapten, which sensitizes the skin to sunlight; bergapten is sometimes added to tanning preparations to promote pigmentation, though it can cause dermatitis or allergic reactions in some people. More recent applications include use as sources of antioxidants and chemical exfoliants in specialized cosmetics.

Distribution

It grows in temperate climates. It is more tolerant of cold than Mexican limes. It cannot tolerate wet soil. It needs a warm sheltered site. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Brazil, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, India, Iran, Pacific, South America, Tahiti, USA,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown by grafting. A spacing of 4-6 m is suitable. Normally when seeds occur these give trees and fruit of mixed quality. Air-layering is the best method. Trees can be budded.

Propagation

Seed. Usually grafted.

Other Uses

An essential oil is extracted from the fruit peel. Lime juice is used as a hair rinse after shampooing, and can bleach light streaks into hair when applied and then exposed to sunlight. It is also applied to the face as a freshening lotion. The acid juice can clean items such as the insides of coffee and teapots, and diluted lime juice will dissolve calcium deposits in kettles overnight.

Production

A tree can produce 28-40 kg per year. They occur throughout the year. Most fruit are produced without fertilisation. Fruit can be stored after ripening on the tree or in a fridge for 6-8 weeks.

Other Information

It is a cultivated plant.

Notes

There are 20 Citrus species. Several hybrids have been formed. This one may be a cross between Citrus aurantifolia and another species.

Synonyms

Citrus aurantiifolia var. latifolia Yu. Tanaka

Also Known As

Limao-tahiti, Limon tahiti

References (17)

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Etherington, K., & Imwold, D., (Eds), 2001, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. The illustrated A-Z of over 8500 trees and shrubs. Random House, Australia. p 215
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 215
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 67

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