Key lime

Key lime fruits - Photo by Stacy Spensley

Key lime is a citrus fruit. It has globose fruits with a diameter of 2.5 to 5 cm. When left to ripe on the tree the fruits turn yellow, but usually they are picked when still green.

The fruits have a strong and unique flavor and are used as an ingredient for Key lime pie.

Names

Scientific
   Citrus aurantifolia
English
   Bartender
   Key lime
   Mexican lime
   Sour lime
   West Indian lime
Dutch
   Lemmetje
   Limoen
Spanish
   Lima ácida
French
   Citron vert
   Lime
   Lime acide
German
   Echte Limette
   Limette

Taxonomy

Genus
   Citrus
Family
   Rutaceae
Order
   Sapindales

Basic information and facts

Origin:

Key lime originates from Southeast Asia.

Distribution:

Deciduous or evergreen:

Evergreen

Key lime is a shrub or small tree with many thorns.

Flowers:

The flowers are yellowish white with a light purple tinge on the margins. They have a diameter of about 2.5 cm.

Leaves:

Fruits:

Globose fruits with a diameter of 2.5 to 5 cm. Fruits that are left to ripe on the tree turn yellow, but usually they are picked when still green.

Climate and weather:

Key lime prefers a tropical or subtropical warm and moist climate, but is sometimes grown in cooler climates.

Pollination:

Height:

Key lime grows as a small tree or shrub which can be up to 5 meters high.

Spacing:

Propagation:

Key lime can be grown from seed but is often propagated by cuttings or by air layering.

Insect pests:

Diseases:

Harvesting:

Pick the fruits when they have reached harvesting size and are just beginning to turn yellow.

Uses:

Juice of key lime is an important ingredient of Key lime pie. Fruits cut in halves are served to add flavor with fish and meats. The juice is used in fruit juices or mixed in alcoholic drinks.

Crop categories

Fruits
Food crops
Tropical crops

Pictures