Food Plants International

408
Names
English: Lime, West Indian Lime Scientific name: Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle
Tok pisin: Synonyms:
Tok ples: Plant family: Rutaceae
Description: A small much branched evergreen tree. It
grows up to 5-6 m tall with short sharp spines. It
spreads to 3 m across. The leaves are small and dark
green. There are narrow wings on the leaf stalk. The
leaf blade is about 5 cm long by 3 cm wide and oval.
They have a sweet smell when crushed. There is a
thorn at the base of each leaf. (Thorn free kinds are
known). The flowers are yellowish white. They are
2.5 cm across and have 5 petals. The flowers are
produced in the leaf axils or at the ends of branches.
The fruit is small, round 3-4 cm across and become
pale orange to yellow when ripe. They are thin
skinned. The flesh of the fruit is green. West Indian
limes with larger, better fruit also occur
Distribution: They need a warm climate and are most common in coastal regions in the lowland
tropics. They grow from sea level to 2200 m altitude in Papua New Guinea. They suit humid
areas and can survive in poor soils. Light to medium well drained soils are best. It is drought
and frost tender. It grows in Nepal to about 1800 m altitude. It can grow in alkaline soil. It suits
hardiness zones 11-12.
Cultivation: They are often grown from seed but are better if grafted. Plants can be grown by
cuttings. A spacing of 4-5 metres is suitable. When grown from seed, several shoots may
develop from the one seed, which means the seedlings may be identical to the parent.
Production: Trees can start producing fruit quickly. They fruit in 5-6 years. They normally
produce fruit all the year round. Fruit drop when mature. Black limes are sun dried limes. They
are 2.5-4 cm across.
Use: They are mainly used for juice and drinks.
They can be used in pickles.
Food Value: Per 100 g edible portion
Edible Moisture Energy Protein Calcium Iron proVit A proVit C Zinc
part % KJ g mg mg µg mg mg
Fruit 91.0 133 0.7 0.25 4 40 0.1
Insects:
Agrilus occipitalis Esch. Buprestidae (COL) Larvae under the bark
Eudecatoma sp. Eurytomidae (HYMEN) Wasp forming galls
Papilio aegeus Don Papilionidae (LEP) Larvae of citrus butterfly
Phyllocnistis citrella Staint Phyllocnistidae (LEP) Citrus leaf miner
Planococcus citri (Risso) Pseudococcidae (HEM) Mealy bug
Diseases:
Sooty mould Fungus Meliola citricola
Pink disease Fungus Phanerochaete salmonicolor
Collar & root rot Fungus Phellinus noxius
Bacterial canker Bacteria Xanthomonas campestris
Pests:
Importance: Moderately common in coastal areas of Papua New Guinea