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
Key lime fruits - Photo by Stacy Spensley
Key lime - Photo by amanderson2
Key lime pie - Photo by ChicksWithKnives
Key lime - Photo by TANAKA Juuyoh