What is the Latin name for the Key lime?
Q: What is the Latin name for the Key lime?
A: The Latin name for the Key lime is Citrus aurantiifolia (often, less correctly: C. aurantifolia), or Citrus x aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle.
Q: How tall can a Key lime tree grow?
A: A Key lime tree can grow up to 5 meters in height.
Q: What are some other names for the Key lime?
A: Other names for the Key lime include Mexican lime, West Indian lime and Bartender's Lime.
Q: What distinguishes a Key Lime from other limes?
A: The key distinguishing factor of a Key Lime compared to other limes is its unique flavor which is more tart and bitter than other limes. It also has higher acidity, a stronger aroma, and a thinner rind than that of the more common Persian lime.
Q: Where did the English name "lime" come from?
A: The English name "lime" was derived from the Persian name لیمو Limu.
Q: When was it introduced to North America?
A: The Key Lime was introduced to North America by Spanish explorers contemporaneously with Columbus in tropical and sub-tropical areas including Mexico, Florida, and later California.
Q: How did it become known as 'Key' Lime? A:The term 'Key' was added sometime after 1926 when most U.S C .aurantiifolia plants were destroyed by a hurricane but some wild plants growing in the Keys survived this event .
