Citrus aurantifolia

Flowering: Year Round. Fruiting: Year Round (or June-August)

A small tree that reaches a height of 3 - 6 m with irregular short, stiff twigs, small leaves and many small sharp thorns. The leaves are pale green about 3 - 5 cm long. The small white flowers are usually borne in clusters. The fruit is dark green in colour about 3 - 6 cm in diameter, oval or nearly globular in shape, often with small apical nipple. The peel is thin and greenish yellow when fruit is ripe. The pulp is tender, juicy, yellowish green in colour and highly acidic

Notes: Native of Malesia. Cultivated in India

The acidic fruit is eaten fresh as a major source of Vitamin C. Pickles is also made. Squash, Juices and lemonades are also prepared from the pulp. The dried peel or rind is also use as flavoring agent

Nutritional Value

Energy 47 kcal; carbohydrate 11.75 gm; protein 0.94gm; total fat 0.12gm; dietry fibres 2.4 gm; niacin 0.28mg; thiamine 0.01 mg; vitamin C 53.2 mg; vitamin E 0.18 mg; potassium 169 mg; calcium 40 mg; iron 0.1mg; magnesium 10 mg; zinc 0.08mg & small amount of alpha & beta-carotene, per 100 gm

Considered to have antioxidant and antibacterial properties and are used in treatment of skin diseases. Local people preserved the fruit in mustard oil and stored it for treating stomach ailments. The older the better. It is also used to treat cough