Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.

Spice Fruit In the University

Family: RUTACEAE

Genus: Citrus

Catalan common name: Llimonera.

Spanish common name: Limonero.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Asia

Uses and properties: Edible or foodstuffs. Furniture, construction and tools. Medicinal.

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Macrophanerophyte.

Habitats: Cultivated species. Garden plants. Cultivated specie.

Description: A small, evergreen tree which usually measures 3 to 5m in height, it has numerous branches with hard, thick thorns. The pale green leaves are unifoliate, ranging between oblong and elliptic-ovate and have a serrated-dentate margin. The flowers are solitary or in racemes, with white petals at the top and purple ones at the bottom. It is unmistakable when the fruit is ripe. This is pale yellow with peel which can be rough or smooth, elliptic-ovoid ending in a nipple-like protuberance; it has a pleasant acid taste.

Observations: From the fruit's skin we get lemon essence, used as flavouring and in perfumery, to make perfumes.