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Citrus ×aurantifolia
Also called Lime, Egyptian Lime, Indian Lime, Mexican Lime, West Indian Lime, Sour Lime, Colo
Key lime is a small, shrubby citrus tree with thorns, grown for its very acidic, aromatic, seedy fruit used in Key lime pie. Dwarf forms can be grown indoors in winter or in colder climates.
The Key lime, also known as West Indian lime, Mexican lime, or Egyptian lime (Citrus × aurantiifolia) is a type of lime. While it is treated as a species in botanical classification, it originated as a natural hybrid between Citrus micrantha (a wild papeda) and Citrus medica (citron).
The Key lime has thinner rind and is smaller, seedier, more acidic, and more aromatic than the Persian lime (Citrus × latifolia). It is valued for its characteristic flavor. The name comes from its association with the Florida Keys, where it is best known as the flavoring ingredient in Key lime pie. The Key lime is not to be confused with bartender's lime or the Omani lime, which are slightly different. The last is classified as a distinct race, with a thicker skin and darker green color. Philippine varieties have various names, including "dayap" and "bilolo".
C. aurantiifolia is native to Southeast Asia. Its apparent path of introduction was through the Middle East to North Africa, then to Sicily and Andalucia and then, via Spanish explorers, to the West Indies, including the Florida Keys. Henry Perrine is credited with introducing the Key lime to Florida. From the Caribbean, lime cultivation spread to tropical and subtropical North America, including Mexico, Florida, and later California.
Calamansi · Citrofortunella · Nasnaran Mandarin · Ada Jamir · Bitter orange · Bergamot orange · Ichang Lemon or Ichang papeda · Celebes papeda · Clementine · Heen naran · Daidai · Citrus
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Key lime by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
