Winged lime facts for kids

Citrus longispina is a special kind of citrus plant. It's also known by fun names like winged lime, blacktwig lime, or megacarpa papeda. This plant makes a sweet fruit that tastes a bit like a lime. It belongs to a group of citrus fruits called papedas.

People in different parts of the world have their own names for it. In China, it's called Tai la mi san. In Japan, it's known as Taramisan. And in the Philippines, you might hear it called Tanisan or Talamisan.

What Does It Look Like?

The Citrus longispina tree is quite pretty with its unique colors. It has very dark brown, almost black, branches, which is why it's sometimes called the "blacktwig lime." Its leaves are a light green, and the fruits are a pale yellow.

This tree can grow up to about 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall. It often looks like a wide, bushy plant. Its long branches can sometimes bend down because of all the heavy fruit growing on them.

About Its Fruit

The fruits of Citrus longispina often grow in groups or clusters. The inside of the fruit is sweet and has a lime-like taste. However, it's not as sour or tangy as the limes you might be used to. Some people might find its flavor a bit mild because it doesn't have a strong sour kick.

The fruit is round, like a ball, and measures about 8 centimeters (about 3 inches) across.

Thorns and Its Name

One interesting thing about this tree is its many long, strong thorns. In fact, its scientific name, longispina, actually means "long spine" in Latin. This name perfectly describes the tree's thorny branches!