Tropical Plant "Lemon"
Citrus limon

Characteristics - The lemon is a fruit bearer, possibly native to India and Pakistan, however, some scholars believe it is a complex hybrid of Citrus aurantifolia, C.medico and C. paradisi; it is widely cultivated in the domestic and commercial orchards, of most of Brazil. It is a small, evergreen tree, spinescent, 3-6 m tall. Leaves glabrous and lustrous, aromatic, 6-11 cm long. Flowers fragrant, white, however the buds are purplish, solitary or in axillary groups of 2-6; they form from August to October. Fruits are ovate, with a mammila at the apex, aromatic, with a medium thick skin with gladular points, a succulent pulp, firm and acidic, with few seeds (ca 10); they mature from April to August. The photos that follow show the main cultivars planted in Brazil. The 'Siciliano' cultivar, shown on this page, is the one most often planted.

Uses - The fruits are consumed in natura, in the form of juices and as a condiment.

Propagation - by seeds and grafting