Rutaceae, Wild lime
Wild lime; limau purut, (M).
Citrus hystrix DC. (Rutaceae)
Description
Citrus hystrix: Wild lime. Both its leaves and fruits have a pleasant
lemon smell.
It is a small tree about 3-5 cm tall. The leaves are very distinctive,
with a lower wing nearly as big as the actual blade. The fruit is wrinkled,
pear shaped, 10 cm by 6 cm, dark green turning yellow on ripening.
Origin
This genus of fruit trees includes Citrus limon (the lemon) and is probably
of Asiatic origin. Burkill (1935) suggested that their cultivation in
Asia has probably been carried out from such remote times that their earliest
history is quite obscure.
Uses
The fruit is not eaten fresh as it contains hardly any juice. It is mainly
used as a flavouring in food. Malays use it as a hair shampoo and as a
medicine. The leaves are used as a spice in curries.
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