Filo gèn' · CC BY-SA 4.0
About
The Key lime, or *Citrus aurantiifolia*, is a highly aromatic, small-fruited acid lime, valued for its distinctive flavor and use in regional desserts like Key lime pie. It is notable for having a thinner, very densely glandular rind compared to larger varieties.
Field notes
Morphology
The plant is a shrubby tree, growing up to 5 metres with many thorns. Leaves are ovate, measuring 2.5–9 centimetres. Flowers are yellowish white with a light purple tinge on the margins. The spherical fruit measures 3-6 cm in diameter, has a very thin, densely glandular peel, and contains yellow-green pulp-vesicles. Seeds are small, plump, ovoid, and pale.
Distribution & habitat
Native to Southeast Asia, its cultivation spread through the Middle East, North Africa, and via Spanish explorers to the West Indies, including the Florida Keys. It is now cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions such as Mexico, Florida, and California.
Cultivation notes
The species can be propagated from seed, cuttings, or by air layering. It thrives in sunny sites with well-drained soil and good air circulation. Because its root system is shallow, it should be planted in prepared or broken rocky soil. Potted trees can be planted year-round in warm conditions, but in cooler temperate regions, planting should wait until late winter or early spring.
History & etymology
The name 'Key' is derived from its association with the Florida Keys, where it was naturalized. The earliest known use of the name dates back to 1905. The species originated as a natural hybrid between *Citrus micrantha* and *Citrus medica*.
Habitat
- Altitude
- —
- Altitude Class
- —
- Native To
- India
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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