Lime
Citrus × aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle
Lime (Citrus × aurantiifolia) is a small citrus tree; its thin-skinned green berry is full of tart juice rich in citric acid and vitamin C, used for drinks, salted lime preserves, seasoning and aromatic essential oil.
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Lime fruitOverview
Lime is a shrub or small tree 2–5 m tall with short thorns; its oval leaves are alternate with slightly winged stalks, and its small white flowers are fragrant. The fruit is spherical to oval, 3–6 cm long, with thin green-yellow skin bearing oil glands and juicy, very tart segments containing a few seeds.
Lime originated in Southeast Asia and is grown throughout the tropics and subtropics; in Vietnam it is cultivated in every province, most commonly the common lime and the 'four-season' lime. The fruit is used for limeade, salted lime, candied peel and seasoning (salads, dipping sauces); the peel yields limonene-rich essential oil for fragrances and cleaning.
Distribution & origin
Share of recorded occurrences by region- Southeast Asia30%
- Vietnam20%
- Others50%
Chemical composition
Relative content in agarwood resin- Citric acidMain tartness45%
- Vitamin CAntioxidant30%
- LimoneneAromatic peel oil25%
Uses
- Juice for drinks and salted lime
- Seasoning for salads and dipping sauces
- Peel yields limonene essential oil
Properties
- Taste
- Sharply sour, refreshingly aromatic
- Value
- Rich in vitamin C and citric acid
Habitat & conservation
Tropical and subtropical, sunny; well-drained soil.
Conservation
Widely cultivated; not threatened.
References
- 1Kew Science – Plants of the World Online: Citrus × aurantiifolia — Kew (Plants of the World Online), 2026
- 2Wikipedia – Key lime — Wikipedia, 2026