4 Types of Lime Trees [Pictures, Identification, Varieties + Uses]

There are 4 main types of lime trees which include key limes (Citrus aurantifolia), Tahiti lime tree (Citrus latifolia), Thai lime (Citrus hysterics), and Rangpur lime.

Lime trees are hybrids of different types of citron plants. The type of plant species and the genus brings about the different types of lime trees.

There are 4 main types of lime trees which include key limes (Citrus aurantifolia), Tahiti lime tree (Citrus latifolia), and Thai lime (Citrus hystrix), and Rangpur lime (Citrus × limonia). These varieties are unique in the way they taste, their physical features, and how and where they’re grown. See below pictures of the different types of lime fruits.

All limes have a similar nutritional profile. The only distinguishing factor of the lime tree is its size and shape of the trees. The size, shape, color, and rind texture are also the distinguishing features of different types of lime fruits. The shape and size of the leaves and flowers also help classify the different types of lime trees.

Lime trees produce fruits and leaves that have various benefits ranging from culinary to medicinal.

What type of fruit is lime?

Lime is an aromatic and beneficial citrus fruit. Citron fruits contain beneficial vitamins and minerals like calcium and magnesium. Vitamins and minerals help in boosting immunity, strengthening bones, and healing wounds.

Lime fruits also contain antioxidants that are good for detoxing the body. The aroma of lime fruits makes them suitable for food garnishing and flavoring.

Different types of lime trees

The difference in lime trees is a result of the diverse composition of the hybrid’s plant species and genus. Below are the different types of lime trees, how to identify them, their uses, and where they are dominantly grown:

1. Key limes (Citrus aurantifolia)

Key limes of the Rutaceae family are also known as the Mexican lime or the West Indian lime. Mexican lime is a tri-hybrid of three citron plant species of two different genera.

How to identify key limes

Key Lime FeaturesCharacteristics
TreesEvergreen, small and bushy trees. Grows to a height of about 12 to 15 feet.
Slender thorny branches
A dark brown smooth bark.Compact-shaped trees.
LeavesOval-shaped, medium dark-green leaves.
Narrow-leaf stalks (petioles).
The leaves resemble orange trees leaves.
FlowersWhite fragrant flowers with a tinge of purple edges. They are small, about one inch in diameter. The flowers hold in clusters along the stems. They are perfect flowers with both stamen and pistil parts. They blossom in spring.
FruitsSmall and polyembryonic seeds. The fruits are round to oval-shaped. Greenish-yellow fruits to pale yellow when ripe. They are juicy and acidic with a distinctive aroma. They have 8-12 divisions with about 10-15 seeds.

Uses of key limes?

  • Making limeade.
  • Flavoring fish, chicken, and meat marinades.
  • Adding the zests of alcoholic cold drinks enhances the drink’s taste.
  • Garnishing drinks and servings.
  • Making the famous key lime pie.
  • Drinking key lime water improves digestion and weight loss.

Where are key limes grown?

Key limes thrive well in warm tropical and subtropical regions. Cold temperatures damage the limes leaves and stem thus limiting its production. Mexican limes grow in fertile sandy and rocky well-draining soils. The Mexican limes grow well in zone 9 to 11 of the United States Department of Agriculture.

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The main regions producing key limes include Mexico, India, North America in Florida, Central America in California, West Indies countries, and Egypt.

2. Tahitian lime (Citrus latifolia)

The Tahitian lime of the Rutaceae family is commonly referred to as the Persian lime. Tahitian lime tree is a hybrid of Mexican lime and local lemon or any other citron species plant.

How to identify Tahitian lime tree

Tahitian Lime featuresCharacteristics
TreesDense, evergreen tall trees. Grows to a height of about 20 feet. Widespread and rounded branches with few thorns.
LeavesLong and broad, dark green oval-shaped leaves.A narrow leaf stalk (petiole).
FlowersSmall white petals with stamens that contain non-viable pollen grains. Green ovary and yellow style and stigma. The flowers hold in clusters next to the plant’s leaves. The flowers bloom in spring.
FruitsLarge oval-shaped fruits. Dark green upon maturity and turns greenish-yellow when ripe. Juicy, acidic, and seedless fruits. They have 10-12 segments.

Uses of the Persian lime

  • To flavor fish, meat, and chicken.
  • Persian lime water boosts immunity and digestion and helps in weight loss.
  • To garnish alcoholic drinks.

Where are Tahitian lime trees grown?

Persian lime grows well in warm tropical and subtropical regions. The Persian lime trees are more tolerant of cold weather than the Mexican limes. Tahiti limes thrive well in a variety of fertile, well-drained with high pH levels. The Persian grows well in zone 9 to 11 of the United States Department of Agriculture.

The major regions in which the Persian limes include North America in Florida, Mexico, Egypt, Cuba, Israel, and other areas with a warmer climates.

3. Thai lime trees (Citrus hystrix)

The Thai lime of the Rutaceae family is also known as the Kaffir lime or makrut lime.

How to identify Thai lime tree

Thai Lime FeaturesCharacteristics
TreesDwarf evergreen trees.
Widespread and drooping thorny branches.  
LeavesThick glossy green leaves.
Double leaves with a shiny upper side and dull lower side.
FlowersSmall white flowers with pink edges.
The flowers hold in a cluster along the stem.
FruitsSmall round-shaped deep green fruits.
The fruits have a rough and bumpy oil rind.
The fruits resemble local lemons.

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Uses of Thai limes

  • In preparation for Asian cuisine.
  • Indonesians use the juice and rinds for medicinal purposes.
  • Thai lime water is useful for weight loss and boosts digestion and immunity.
  • Thai lime has essential oils that are good in perfume production.

Where is Thai lime grown?

Thai thrives well in slightly warm regions than other types of limes. The Thai lime flourishes well in zone 10 to 12 of the United States Department of Agriculture plant hardiness.

The Asian-origin citric plant grows in Southeast Asia and other warmer regions such as North America in Florida, Southern China, Israel, Central America in California, and Egypt, among other temperate areas.

You still want to make sure you water the citrus tree correctly if you’re growing it indoors to prevent some citrus diseases that can easily kill the plant.

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4. Rangpur lime

Rangpur lime is also known as the mandarin lime, Kona lime, or local lemon. The Rangpur lime is a hybrid between a tangerine (mandarin orange) and lemon. The rangpur tree is medium-sized and can grow to a height of 20 feet. The rangpur trees grow from seeds, and as a result, there are few rangpur cultivars.

How to identify the Rangpur lime tree

Rangpur Lime featuresCharacteristics
TreesMedium-sized evergreen trees.
Grows to a height of about 15 to 20 feet.
Widespread and drooping thorny and slender branches.
Resembles tangerine orange trees.
LeavesDull green oval-shaped leaves with purplish edges.
FlowersSmall mandarin-like white flowers.
Purple petals and buds.
FruitsSmall to medium-sized, round-shaped fruits.
Have an orange to the reddish-orange rind.
Juicy and acidic fruits that are easy to peel.
They resemble hybrid oranges and have 8-10 segments.

Uses of Rangpur lime

  • Make simple syrups incorporated in iced tea and sparkling water.
  • In marinating pork, chicken, and fish.
  • Garnishing Indian cuisines.

Where are Rangpur lime trees grown?

The mandarin lime grows well in volcanic well-drained soils. It is tolerant to lower temperatures. Mandarine lime also does well in higher elevations with enough rainfall and nutrients.

The Rangpur lime grows in various regions and has a different name for each region. That is Rangpur in India, Mandarin in the USA, Canton lemon in South China, Cravo lemon in Brazil, and hime lemon in Japan.

References:
[1] University of Florida, Extension Services: Key limes/CH/CH09200.pdf
[2] University of Florida, Extension Services: Tahiti lime/CH/CH09300.pdf
[3] The University of California Riverside, College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences: Citrus Variety Collection: Rangpur