Other Names:  Mamomcillo

Description:

A slow growing variety, perfect for shading, or ornamental use; presenting lance shaped, compound leaves and white flower clusters; edible fruit with center stone have thin, brittle green peel and peach interiors; bittersweet flavor, great canned or fresh

Edible Qualities

Spanish Lime is a large tree that is commonly grown for its edible qualities. It produces green round fruit (technically 'drupes') with peach flesh which are usually ready for picking from early to late summer. The fruits have a pleasant taste and a juicy texture.

The fruit are most often used in the following ways:

• Fresh Eating
• Cooking
• Baking
• Juice-Making
• Canning

Features & Attributes

Spanish Lime has dark green deciduous foliage on a tree with a round habit of growth. The pointy compound leaves do not develop any appreciable fall color.

This is a deciduous tree with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and can be pruned at anytime. It is a good choice for attracting bees and butterflies to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Aside from its primary use as an edible, Spanish Lime is sutiable for the following landscape applications;

• Shade
• Orchard/Edible Landscaping

Planting & Growing

Spanish Lime will grow to be about 40 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 40 feet. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 5 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years. This is a dioecious species, meaning that individual plants are either male or female. Only the females will produce fruit, and a male variety of the same species is required nearby as a pollinator.

This plant is typically grown in a designated edibles garden. It does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by cuttings.