The chronicle of the lime ( Citrusspp . ) embrace a culturally diverse stock with legion genetic descendants that branch off the master folk Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , not unlike a human heritage . As a hybrid of other citrus fruit , lime yield has progenitors from Malaysia , Indonesia , Myanmar and China .
From its early showtime in these and other countries , the lime has sweep the globe to become a citrus yield in commercial production as well as a ducky in backyard orchard across USDA flora hardiness zones 9 through 11 .
Lime Scientific Name and Family
With other citrus works , hydrated lime belongs to the herb of grace plant family ( Rutaceae ) . Plants in this family include herbs , shrub and trees that have crude oil glands with powerfully scented flowers and/or fruits .
As a member of theCitrusgenus , lime does not populate a queer species ; instead , it represents many branches on its family tree diagram . Each species name designates a particular lime , even though there may be more than one common name for each species .
The omnipresent caustic lime found in food market depot year - round is the Iranian lime ( Citrusxlatifolia ) , also visit Tahiti lime or Bearss calx . Another common species is the cardinal calcium hydrate ( Citrusxaurantiifolia ) , also called Mexican quicklime . The " x " in the scientific name ( pronounced as " by " and not " x " ) means that these are hybrid , which are the result of crossing unlike mintage .
Both these coinage bring on fruits that are 1 to 3 inches in duration and width , but the Persian lime is slightly oval - shaped , compare to the fundamental birdlime , which is debauchee with a tenuous rind .
General History of the Lime
The inherited makeup of different types of citrus fruit is remarkably standardized because of their origins in only a few mintage . It ’s because of this restricted gene puddle and the resulting sexual compatibility that citrus fruit have the power to mutate through random natural crossing as well as designed human breeding .
Research luff to the origin of calcium hydroxide in Malaysia as a hybrid citrus fruit , although one of the first body politic to educate citrus was India . The popularity of lime inevitably run to their culture in other suitable climates , including Asia , India , China , Brazil and Tahiti .
Eventually , lime tree diagram were introduced to the U.S. , where trees flourish in the warm climates of Florida and California .
Persian/Tahiti/Bearss Lime (Citrus x latifolia)
The uncouth name Tahiti lime is n’t a nod to this flora ’s origins but a normally accepted historicity of how it found its direction to California from Tahiti . Even though its accurate geographical lineage is somewhat of a mystery , this lime likely hail from Asia .
Unlike some types of citrus tree , this species has nearly thornless stems . arise on small tree with a possible 20 - foot height and spread when ripe , these limes — as all quicklime do — get on to sensationalistic , although they ’re almost always picked when light-green . Green fluxing lime have a dour mouthful , but ripe white-livered fruits have a sweet lime tree taste .
Key/Mexican Lime (Citrus x aurantiifolia)
Key quicklime were commercially arise in the Florida Keys during the 19th century , contribute rise to their mutual name , which persists even though Florida ’s commercial-grade production of these fruits today is minimum .
Although they ’re smaller than Persian / Tahiti limes , Key lime tree fruit are indisposed . Trees are also small than the Persian / Tahiti lime , reaching a likely ripe tiptop around 12 feet .
Watch for spines when picking yield , because this Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ’s branches are bristly . Although there are spineless cultivars , the yield on thornless tree diagram do not produce as many yield .
