Citrus latifolia

System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Cladus: Rosids
Cladus: Eurosids II
Ordo: Sapindales

Familia: Rutaceae
Subfamilia: Aurantioideae
Tribus: Aurantieae
Subtribus: Citrinae
Genus: Citrus
Nothospecies: Citrus × latifolia
Name

Citrus × latifolia (Yu.Tanaka) Tanaka

Formula hybridae: Citrus × aurantiifolia (Christm. & Panz.) Swingle × Citrus × limon (L.) Osbeck

References

Systematic pomology (Kwaju Bunruigaku) 140. 1951
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Citrus × latifolia in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 07-Oct-06.

Vernacular names
Deutsch: Limette
English: Persian lime

Persian lime (Citrus × latifolia), also known by other common names such as seedless lime,[2] Bearss lime[3] and Tahiti lime,[3] is a citrus fruit species of hybrid origin, known only in cultivation.[2] The Persian lime is a triploid cross between key lime (Citrus × aurantiifolia) and lemon (Citrus × limon).[4][5]

Although there are other citrus species that are referred to as "limes", the Persian lime is the most widely cultivated lime species commercially,[6] and accounts for the largest share of the fruits sold as limes. The fruit turns yellow as it ripens, but it is universally sold while still green.

Description
Sliced lime

The tree is nearly thornless. The fruit is about 6 cm (2.4 in) in diameter, often with slightly nippled ends, and is usually sold while green, although it yellows as it reaches full ripeness. It is also widely available dried, as it is often used this way in Persian cuisine. It is larger, thicker-skinned, with less intense citrus aromatics than the key lime (Citrus aurantifolia). The advantages of the Persian lime in commercial agriculture compared to the key lime are the larger size, absence of seeds, hardiness, absence of thorns on the bushes, and longer fruit shelf life. They are less acidic than key limes and do not have the bitterness that lends to the key lime's unique flavor.
Cultivation

Persian limes were first grown on a large scale in Persia (now known as Iran) and southern Iraq.[7][8]

The trees are propagated clonally, by grafting or air layering.[9] Persian limes are commercialized primarily in six sizes, known as 110s, 150s, 175s, 200s, 230s and 250s. Large numbers of Persian limes are grown, processed, and exported every year primarily from Mexico[6] to the American, European and Asian markets. In 2014, Brazil was the major exporter of fresh limes to Europe (about 70%) with Mexico supplying most of the remainder.[10]
Cultivars

Cultivars include:

Bearss lime[11] (named after John T. Bearss, who developed this seedless variety about 1895 in his nursery at Porterville, California)
Page lime[12]
Persian lime SPB-7[13]
Pond's lime[14]
Tahiti lime[15]

References

Porcher, Michel H.; et al. (1995), Multilingual Multiscript Plant Name Database (M.M.P.N.D): Sorting Citrus Names, The University of Melbourne
Dianxiang Zhang and David J. Mabberley, "21. Citrus Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 782. 1753", Flora of China Online, retrieved 30 June 2016
USDA GRIN Taxonomy, retrieved 30 June 2016
Curk, Franck; Ollitrault, Frédérique; Garcia-Lor, Andres; Luro, François; Navarro, Luis; Ollitrault, Patrick (2016). "Phylogenetic origin of limes and lemons revealed by cytoplasmic and nuclear markers". Annals of Botany. 11 (4): 565–583. doi:10.1093/aob/mcw005. PMC 4817432. PMID 26944784.
Ali, Muhammad Amjad; Nawaz, Muhammad Azher (2017), "Advances in Lime Breeding and Genetics", in Khan, M. Mumtaz; Al-Yahyai, Rashid; Al-Said, Fahad (eds.), The lime: botany, production and uses, CAB International, pp. 37–53
Perez, Agnes; Pollack, Susan (July 30, 2008). "Greater Imports of Mangoes and Lime for Most of 2008's First Half, Early 2008/09 Grape Imports Also Up" (PDF). Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook. Economic Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture (FTS-333): 16.
Raichlen, Steven (August 2, 1992). "Small citruses yield tart juice, aromatic oils, big, fresh taste". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
Lim, T. K. (2012-06-11). Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants: Volume 4, Fruits. ISBN 9789400740532.
Jonathan H. Crane and Jason L. Osborne (2015), Growing 'Tahiti' Limes in the Home Landscape, University of Florida, IFAS Extension
CBI Product Factsheet: Fresh Limes in Europe
Bearss lime at Citrus Variety Collection Website
Page lime
Persian lime SPB-7
Pond's lime
Tahiti lime