Lime

Common name:

Tahitian lime, Persian lime

Botanical name:

Citrus latifolia

Family:

Rutaceae

Origin:

The origin of the Tahiti lime is unknown. It is presumed to be a hybrid of the Mexican lime (C. aurantiifolia) and citron, or, less likely, the lemon. It is believed that Citrus latifolia was introduced into the Mediterranean region by way of Iran (formerly called Persia). Portuguese traders probably carried it to Brazil, and it was taken to Australia from Brazil around 1824. Most citrus originally came from North East India and South East asia.

Description:

The Tahiti lime tree is moderately vigorous, medium to large, up to 4.5-6 m, with nearly thornless, with widespread, drooping branches. The leaves are broad-lanceolate, with winged petioles; young shoots are purplish. Flowers are borne during the whole year and are slightly purple-tinged. The fruit is oval, obovate, oblong or short-elliptical, usually rounded at the base, occasionally ribbed or with a short neck; the apex is rounded with a brief nipple; 4-6.25 cm wide, 5-7.5 cm high; peel is vivid green until ripe when it becomes pale-yellow; smooth, thin, tightly clinging; pulp is light greenish-yellow when ripe, in 10 segments, tender, acid, but without the distinctive bouquet of the Mexican lime. It is usually seedless. The Tahiti lime flowers have no viable pollen.

Uses:

As a food source. The peel is used for confectionery as well as in the cosmetic industry.

Allergens:

d-limonene, geraniol, citral, furocoumarins (limettin > bergapten > isopimpinellin > xanthotoxin > psoralen)

Allergy:

Phototoxic, urticaria and contact dermatitis. Exposure to the peel oil of the Tahiti lime may cause dermatitis. Rolling the limes between the hands before squeezing in order to extract more of the juice will coat the hands with oil and this will be transferred to whatever parts of the body are touched before washing the hands. Subsequent exposure to sunlight often results in a phototoxic reaction (streaky brown or red areas that itch intensely, and sometimes severe blistering). The dermatitis is a form of berloque dermatitis, strictly speaking a reaction to the berlock lime, Citrus bergamia. The sap of the tree and scratches by the thorns may cause rashes in sensitive individuals. There have been some reports of asthma and hayfever from lime pollen.

Cross reactions:

Mexican lime, other Citrus spp.

Other information:

Lime juice is employed as a rinse after shampooing the hair and on the face as a freshening lotion. Light streaks have been bleached in the hair by applying lime juice and then going out into the sun for a time. One should be sure that there is no peel oil on the hands when doing this. Lime juice is used for cleaning the inside of coffeepots, and to eliminate unpleasant odors from the electric waste-disposal unit. Dilute lime juice will dissolve, overnight, calcium deposits in kettles.

Lime juice, given quickly, is an effective antidote for the painful oral irritation and inflammation that result from biting into aroids such as Dieffenbachia spp., Xanthosoma spp., Philodendron spp., and their allies. Lime juice has also been applied to relieve the effects of stinging corals.

Patch test: