Desert lime facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Desert lime |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Citrus
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| Species: |
glauca
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| Synonyms | |
Citrus glauca, also known as the desert lime, is a special type of citrus plant. It is a thorny bush or a small tree that grows naturally in parts of Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia.
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About the Desert Lime
The desert lime is a very tough plant. It can handle hot weather, dry conditions (drought), and even cold temperatures. This makes it one of the strongest Citrus species. Because it is so strong, scientists are interested in using it to create new types of citrus fruits. It can easily mix its genes with other common citrus plants to make new hybrids.
What Does It Look Like?
The desert lime can grow up to 12 meters tall, which is about the height of a small building. It has some unique features that help it survive in harsh environments.
It is an evergreen plant, meaning it usually keeps its leaves all year. But if there isn't enough rain, it can drop its leaves. Then, it uses its green bark to make food and stay alive. This plant also produces fruit very quickly after its flowers bloom. The fruit is small and its size can change depending on the weather and the plant's genes.
You might notice thorns on the lower branches of the desert lime. These thorns help protect the plant from animals like rabbits, kangaroos, and cattle that might try to eat its leaves. Higher branches, which are out of reach, usually don't have thorns. The limes themselves are small and have a very strong, tangy flavor. When there's good rainfall, the trees produce lots of fruit!
How People Use Desert Limes
The fruit of the desert lime is a highly valued bushfood. This means it's a traditional food source for Indigenous Australians. People often collect the fruit from wild plants in areas where it grows naturally.
However, many desert lime plants have been cut down to make way for farms. To help protect the plant and make sure there's enough fruit, people are now starting to grow desert limes on farms. This helps reduce the need to collect them from the wild.
The fruit is used in many different products. You can find it in marmalades, drinks, and even candied fruit. It has a very strong, delicious lime taste.
Special Types and Hybrids
Scientists have worked with the desert lime to create new types of citrus.
Australian Outback Lime
The Australian Outback lime is a special kind of desert lime. Scientists from CSIRO chose it because it has some great qualities. It grows straight up, produces large and tasty fruits, and gives a lot of fruit. All the fruits ripen at about the same time, and the plant doesn't have many thorns. This makes it easier to harvest the fruit using machines. Steve Sykes, a scientist, helped develop this special lime.
Hybrids
Citrus plants can easily mix their genes to create new types, called hybrids. The eremolemon is an example of a hybrid. It is believed to be a natural mix between the desert lime (Citrus glauca) and the Meyer lemon (Citrus meyeri). Eremolemons grow quickly and can handle salty soil.
Other interesting hybrids include eremoranges (a mix with an orange) and eremoradias (a mix with a sour orange). There are also citrangeremos, which are a mix with a citrange.
See also
In Spanish: Lima del desierto para niños
