In the Lime-light

While we are most familiar with the common Lime in how it adds zing and zest to many of our favourite local delights and drinks, we may not think too much else about it.

We shine the spotlight on the common Lime and other plants with ‘lime’ in their names that you can find in Singapore. While some such as the Limeberry, Finger Lime, Kaffir Lime, Mangrove Lime, and Mock Lime are in the same family as the common Lime (Rutaceae family), others are not directly related, but are equally sub-lime!

Lime

Citrus x aurantiifolia_Shi Biying

Photo credit: Shi Biying

The well-known Lime (Citrus × aurantiifolia) needs no introduction. The glossy fruits turn from green to pale yellow as it matures. Its juice is commonly used to add flavour to meat and fish fishes, as well as various types of beverages.

The Lime is a shrubby tree that grows up to 4 m. It has a spreading crown composed of spiny branches. The numerous, sharp spines grow to about 1 cm long each. It produces dull, dark green leathery oval-shaped leaves and white flowers with purple tints arranged in a spike-like inflorescence known as a raceme.

False Lime

Suregada multiflora_ 1_ Keneric Ng Wei Sheng_ fruit

Photo credit: Keneric Ng Wei Sheng

The False Lime (Suregada multiflora), also known as Merlimau, has fruits in capsules that are somewhat round or slightly three-lobed and reveal their seeds when ripe. These fruits resemble small limes, hence its name. Each fruit contains three black seeds that are covered by a succulent white flesh.

This critically endangered species is native to the coastal areas of Singapore, occurring locally in Changi and Pulau Ubin. It grows into a small tree or big shrub, up to 15 m in height. It has a prominent conical crown, especially when young, with its branches growing in a spiral form along the trunk and stem.

It has leathery leaf blades that are dark green and oval-shaped. These leaves turn orange before dropping, making this plant an attractive choice for themed gardens.

Limeberry

Triphasia trifolia_Jane Li

Photo credit: Jane Li

The Limeberry (Triphasia trifolia), also known as Limau Keah, has reddish orange to bright red fleshy fruits that are round to ellipsoid in shape. The fruit peel contains many oil glands that makes it smell like lemon.

These fruits can be used to treat coughs and sore throats, and the leaves are used to treat colic, diarrhoea and skin diseases. While it is considered an invasive species in the understorey of native forests, you can take a closer look at it in Healing Garden in the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Finger Lime

Citrus australasica_Vicky Lim Yen Ngoh (2)

Photo credit (bottom): Vicky Lim Yen Ngoh

The fruits of the Finger Lime (Citrus australasica) have a distinctive finger shape and change from green to variable colours when mature. The fruit pulp can be used in seafood or as garnish in salad and desserts. The rind can also be processed into spice.

This shrub or small tree grows best in well-drained soil, reaching up to 6 m tall and producing slightly fragrant tiny flowers that are pinkish in colour.

Kaffir Lime Citrus hystrix Shi Biying
Photo credit: Shi Biying

The fruits of the Kaffir Lime (Citrus hystrix): are round to egg-shaped with a very wrinkled and bumpy texture. They can vary from light to dark green, eventually turning yellow before dropping from the tree. It is the food plant for caterpillars of the Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas).

The flesh contains little juice which is sour and slightly bitter. The leaves add a lemon flavour to various types of dishes such as tom yum soup. The rind can also be added to curry such as green curry paste.

Mangrove Lime

Merope angulata_Chua Jit Chern Photo credit: Chua Jit Chern

The Mangrove Lime (Merope angulata), also known as Limau Lelang, is a critically endangered species that is native to Singapore. It can be found in landward margins of mangroves and along riverbanks.

The shrub can grow to about 3 m tall when mature. It has thick leathery leaves with transparent dots, with each leaf measuring about 2 to 7 cm in length and is covered with minute glands that release a lime-like odour if bruised. The fruits have an angular berry shape with three to four flattened sides and are also aromatic when crushed.

Mock Lime

Murraya paniculata_Shi Biying

Photo credit: Shi Biying

The Mock Lime (Murraya paniculata) is typically a medium-sized shrub of about 2.5 to 3.5 m tall. It produces evergreen leaves and white flowers. These flower all year round, generating a pleasant fragrance for all to enjoy. Its fruits are red, oval, fleshy and measure only about 1 to 3 cm long.

In Chinese medicine, a decoction of the leaves is taken to treat bruises, chronic dysentery, stomachache, swellings, and skin irritations. The leaves are also used as a tonic, for example to cure toothache and expel tapeworms in Malaysia; as a stimulant in Indonesia; and to treat diarrhoea and dysentery in the Philippines.

Want to view these plants up close? There are two unique specimens that have grown as a tree, up to about 12 m tall each! They are listed as Heritage Trees in Singapore, and both can be found at Andover Road in Changi.

Lime Basil

Ocimum americanum_Jennie Tang (2)

Photo credit: Jennie Tang Yurue

The Lime Basil (Ocimum americanum) has tiny white to light blue flowers and small one-seeded fruits known as nutlets. In water, the nutlet-wall produces a thick white cover of slimy threads within several minutes. The plant can be found in tropical climates, growing on roadsides, in fields, in teak forests, and in open spaces close to settlements.

It is cultivated for the young mildly fragrant leaves which are eaten raw as a vegetable side-dish in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, and can be added to various dishes with a fishy or disagreeable smell. Essential oil of the plant is used in soap and cosmetics while in traditional medicine, pounded leaves are used to treat respiratory problems and the whole plant is used in baths to treat rheumatism!

Learning More

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Text by Charlotte Tan

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In the Lime-light

National Parks Board