Tropical Plant "Palestine sweet lime"
Citrus limettioides

Characteristics - The Palestine sweet Lime is an exotic fruit bearer that, probably, originated in India, however, some scholars believe it is a hybrid of Citrus aurantifolia and C. medica. It is cultivated on a small scale, in southeastern Brazil, mainly in commercial orchards. It is a small evergreen tree, with few thorns, self-fertilizing, 4-6 m tall. Leaves coriaceous, glabrous on both surfaces, 3-6 cm long. Flowers fragrant, solitary on the axiles and in terminal groups of 2-10; they form in August and September. Fruits globose, with a small mammila, on the apical extremity, with a rugose surface, the skin is lemon-scented, with a succulent acidic-sweet pulp; they mature in the winter. The photos on the following page show the main cultivars planted in Brazil. The cultivars 'Lima de Bico' or 'Lima de Umbigo' (belly-button lime) is shown on this page.

Uses - The fruits are consumed in natura (fresh) or as juices.

Propagation - by seeds and grafting.