Triphasia trifolia/Limeberry is a shrub that grows up to 3 meters in height. It was introduced to various tropical and subtropical regions and is cultivated for its fruit. It has got naturalized in many Pacific Islands.
The leaves are used for various purposes. The edible fruits are full of flavor. The ripened fruit has a sweet taste and is used to make jellies, jams, and preserves. The fruit is used to make sweet tea as well.
Limeberry Quick Facts
Name:
Limeberry
Scientific Name:
Triphasia trifolia
Origin
It is believed to have originated from China or Southeast Asia.
Limeberry (Triphasia trifolia), also known as Lemon China, Lime Chinese, Limeberry, Trifoliate Limeberry, Lime Orange Berry, Triphasia, Trifoliate Limeberry or Triphasia Limeberry, is a perennial shrub or small tree that produces edible fruit. It is the plant species in the family Rutaceae. It is grown for its edible fruits and medicinal purposes. The tree is erect and glabrous which bears flowers during Late Winter or Early Spring. The fruits of this plant are orange or crimson berry that has a flavor that is reminiscent of sweet lime with an acid sweet taste.
LIMEBERRY FACTS
Name
Limeberry
Scientific Name
Triphasia trifolia
Native
It is believed to have originated from China or Southeast Asia.
Chamorro: Limoncito; French: Orangine; India (Hindu): Chini Naranghi; Indonesia: Java: Jeruk Kingkit, Sundanese: Kingkip, Kaliyage; Malaysia: Limau Kikir; Philippines: Bikol: Sua-Sua, Iloko: Kalamansito, Negrito: Tagimunau, Spanish: Limonsito, Tagalog: Kamalitos; Spanish: Limoncito; Thailand: Manao Tet; Chamorro: limoncito; Samoan: vali atigi lima; Yapese: gurugur ni lym; Bahamas: chinese lemon; Dominican Republic: naranjita de pegar; Guam: lemonchina; Lesser Antilles: citronella; Puerto Rico: chinita Saint Lucia: sweet lime Samoa: vali atigi lima United States Virgin Islands: lime-berry
Plant Growth Habit
Spiny, erect, glabrous, evergreen, perennial shrub/small tree
Plant Size
Height: 1-3 (-7) m
Leaf
Trifoliate, glossy, dark green; Length: 2-4 cm; Broad: 1.5-2 cm
Flowering Season
Late Winter/Early Spring
Buds
Cylindrical, 10-12 X 3-4 mm
Flower
White, fragrant, cup-shaped, fragrant, three petals, Length: 10-13 mm; Broad: 4 mm
Fruit shape & size
Ovoid, subglobose berry, fleshy, Across: 1.2-1.5 cm; Diameter: 10-15 mm
Fruit color
Dull reddish to orange or crimson
Fruit peel
Thick
Flavor/aroma
Reminiscent to sweet lime
Fruit Taste
Acid sweet
Seed
1 to 3, flattened, Length: 1-3 mm long
Traditional uses
Used to make aromatic bath salts.
Treats colic, diarrhea, and skin diseases.
Used in cosmetics.
Used in traditional medicine.
Possess antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Useful for sore throats and coughs.
Crushed leaves treat dandruff.
Aid for coughs.
Precautions
Might get allergic reactions.
Consumed in moderate amounts.
How to Eat
Consumed raw, candied, or made preserves, marmalade, jams, pickles, and beverages.
Fruits are cooked as well.
Limeberry Scientific Classification
Scientific Name: Triphasia trifolia
Rank
Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom
Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom
Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
Superdivision
Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
Division
Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
Subclass
Rosidae
Order
Sapindales
Family
Rutaceae (Rue family)
Genus
Triphasia Lour. (Triphasia)
Species
Triphasia trifolia (Burm. f.) P. Wilson (Limeberry)
Synonyms
Limonia diacantha DC.
Limonia retusa D.Don
Limonia trifolia Burm.f.
Limonia trifoliata L.
Triphasia aurantiola Lour.
Triphasia diacantha M.Roem.
Triphasia javanica M.Roem.
Triphasia trifoliata (L.) DC.
History
It is believed to have originated from China or Southeast Asia. It was anciently introduced to Peninsular Malaysia which has been recently naturalized. It was naturalized and introduced in Thailand and the Philippines or Tropical Asia. Now it is widely introduced in Subtropical to Tropical countries. It is also naturalized on Islands in the Pacific.
Plant
Limeberry is a spiny, erect, glabrous, and evergreen tree up to 1-3 (-7) m in height. The leaves are glossy, trifoliate, dark green; 1.5-2 cm broad, and 2-4 cm long. It has cylindrical buds of size 10-12 X 3-4 mm. The white flowers are fragrant, cup-shaped; 4 mm broad, and 10-13 mm long that turn to dull reddish to orange or crimson fruit. Fruits are ovoid, subglobose berry, fleshy, 1.2-1.5 cm across and 10-15 mm in diameter. The fruit possesses 1 to 3 flattened seeds of 1-3 mm long.
Health benefits of Limeberry
Limeberry is an edible fruit having a sweet taste that could be made as jams and pickled. It possesses a high amount of nutrients that help to maintain good health. The leaves are used to treat colic, diarrhea, and skin ailments. The fruit is useful for cough and sore throat. It assists in weight loss, digestion, skin health, provides relief from constipation, scurvy, eye health, respiratory ailments, peptic ulcer, gout, urinary disorders, etc.
Traditional uses
In the Philippines, the leaves are used to make aromatic bath salts.
In Indonesia, the leaves are used to treat the health complaints such as colic, diarrhea, and skin diseases.
It is also used in cosmetics.
Limeberry is used in the traditional medicine of South East Asia.
The plant is believed to possess antibacterial and antifungal properties which help to treat diarrhea, colic, and skin ailments.
Fruits are useful for sore throats and coughs.
Fruits should be peeled and soaked in lime water overnight. Then rinse and boil in about 1 cup water along with ½ cup of sugar. It should be rinsed and boiled a second or third time as needed for the sore throat and cough.
The crushed leaves are applied to treat dandruff.
Fruit is cooked with sugar and water in Guyana as an aid for coughs which helps to loosen phlegm.
Precautions
Some might get allergic reactions to its use.
It should be consumed in moderate amounts.
How to Eat
The ripened fruits are consumed raw, candied or made preserves, marmalade, jams, pickles and beverages.
