Lime (Citrus aurantiifolia)

Family: Rutaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Citrus aurantiifolia or commonly known as Lime, Key Lime, Mexican Lime, or Mexican Thornless Key Lime is small evergreen tree found in tropical Asia. It grows up to 5 m tall and it has dense and irregular branches, spiny twigs, small, dark green leaves, and yellowish white flowers. The fruit is thin-skinned, juicy, very acid, and fragrant. It is eaten raw or cooked, used as flavouring, or made into jellies, juices, jams, or marmalades.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

flavouring. — 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).

Habitat & North American Range

Not known in a truly wild situation. (Zone 10)