Lime on Tree

Additional Fruit Information Types of Fruit What's Hot in Fruit?

Two types of limes, Citrus latifolia (Tahitian lime) and Citrus aurantiifolia (key lime), grow in the United States.

Neither type is a native species, and the lime tree is temperature sensitive to the degree that it is impracticable to plant them as a commercial endeavor. Almost one hundred percent of the limes used in the United States are imported.

Still, their small size makes lime trees a popular patio and landscape fixtures in the southern areas of California, Texas and Florida. Some escape to grow in the wild.

The key lime matures to a yellow fruit and the branches of the trees have thorns. The Tahitian lime matures to a green fruit and the branches of the tree are thornless.

© 2009 Patricia A. Michaels.