Bearss Lime Budwood

Citrus latifolia.

The Tahitian lime, Bearss lime, or Persian lime.  The nearly-thornless trees grow vigorously to a medium-large size with a spreading form and have white blossoms.  Persian lime trees are more cold-hardy than Mexican lime trees and should do well in areas where lemons are successfully grown. To date, all Persian lime trees are known to carry wood pocket, which can cause serious deterioration of the trees. The fruits of Persian lime are larger than Mexican limes, approximately 2-2 ½ inches in diameter, and have a thin, smooth, light yellow rind at full maturity.  The seedless flesh is pale greenish-yellow, acidic, juicy and finely-textured.  Once Persian limes reach full maturity, usually late autumn to early winter, they drop from the tree.

Rootstocks of accession: Citrus macrophylla, Yuma Ponderosa lemon.

Season of ripeness at Riverside, California: October to December.

Prepared by the Givaudan Citrus Variety Collection at The University of California Riverside.