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Persian lime

Citrus × latifolia Tanaka ex Q.Jiménez

Family: Rutaceae · Genus: Citrus

Tahiti lime, Bearss lime

Secondary I Medium No biomass production
CC BY-SA · Wikimedia Commons

Medium-stratum citrus in syntropic systems. Pasini cites 'lemon' as a stratification example next to coffee (low), avocado (high), and eucalyptus (emergent). Seedless fruit, near-continuous production.

Götsch succession

Götsch stage
Secondary I
Ecological role
Early secondary
Primary stratum
Medium
Strata
Medium, High
Biomass class
No biomass production

Environment

Light requirement
Full sun
Water requirement
Moderate
Drought tolerance
Moderate
Waterlogging tolerance
Low
Soil pH range
5–6.5
Preferred soil texture
Loamy, Sandy
Hardiness zones
10–12
Frost tolerance
-2.0 °C

Morphology

Mature height
3–6 m
Recommended spacing
4–6 m
Root system
Taproot
Root depth
Deep
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifespan
20–40 years
Time to first harvest
30 months

Biomes & climate

Köppen classes

Where it fits in a guild

Persian lime takes the Medium stratum in the Secondary I phase of succession — in a guild it shares the line with species from the other strata, each harvesting light at its own height, in its own time.

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Emergent High Medium · ≈6 m Low Ground cover

🪴 Cultivation

A seedless citrus propagated by grafting or cuttings; near-continuous production year-round. Well-drained sandy-clay soil, pH ~5.0–6.5; sensitive to waterlogging and more cold-sensitive than orange or mandarin. Spacing 6–7 m × 2.5–4 m.

📅 Phenology

Flowering months: September, October, November

Fruiting months: January, February, March, April, May, June

❓ Frequently asked questions

How long until the first harvest of Persian lime?

The first harvest of Persian lime comes around 30 months after planting.

What spacing is recommended for Persian lime?

The recommended spacing for Persian lime is 4–6 m.

How tall does Persian lime grow?

At maturity, Persian lime reaches 3–6 m tall.

When does Persian lime fruit?

Fruiting of Persian lime occurs in January, February, March, April, May, June.

When does Persian lime flower?

Flowering of Persian lime occurs in September, October, November.

What stage and stratum does Persian lime occupy in a syntropic system?

In a syntropic system, Persian lime belongs to the secondary i stage, occupying the medium stratum.

Functions

🍎 Fruit 🐝 Attracts pollinators

Propagation

Grafting, Cutting

Citations

  1. Pasini, F. & Guimarães, L. (2017) — Conceitos e princípios práticos da agrofloresta sucessional, Tabela 3 (Incaper) , p. 116 (primary_stratum)
  2. www.infoteca.cnptia.embrapa.br (root_system, root_depth, ph_min, ph_max, spacing_min_m, spacing_max_m, soil_texture_preference, cultivation_notes, waterlogging_tolerance)
  3. hgic.clemson.edu (frost_tolerance_c, hardiness_zone_min, hardiness_zone_max)
  4. www.idam.am.gov.br (cultivation_notes, phenology)

External references

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