Citrus aurantifolia
Family: Rutaceae
Mexican Lime, Key lime, West Indian lime
Citrus aurantifolia has a globose fruit, 1-2in in diameter, that is greenish-yellow when ripe but usually picked green and valued for its sourness and flavor. C. aurantifolia is a shrubby tree, to 16ft, with many thorns. Dwarf varieties are popular with home growers and can be grown indoors in winter in colder climates. The trunk rarely grows straight, with many branches that often originate quite far down on the trunk. The leaves are ovate 1–3.5in long, resembling orange (the scientific name aurantifolia refers to the leaves’ resemblance). The flowers are 1in in diameter, are yellowish white with a light purple tinge on the margins. Flowers and fruit appear throughout the year but are most abundant from May to September.
