Citrus glauca 'Desert Lime'

Common name(s): Desert Lime, Wild Lime, Desert Kumquat

Family: Rutaceae Synonym(s): Citrus australasica 'Desert Lime', Atalantia glauca Lindl., Benth. & Hook.f., Atalantia glauca var. inermis F.M.Bailey, Eremocitrus glauca Lindl., Swingle, Triphasia glauca Lindl.

Plant

Taken by Ken Harrington on 20th September, 2024 at Mt. Torrens, South Australia

Bark (Upper)

Taken by Ken Harrington

Leaves

Taken by Ken Harrington

Plant

Taken by Ken Harrington on 30th January, 2025 at Mt. Torrens, South Australia

Leaf (Front)

Taken by Ken Harrington

Fruit

Taken by Ken Harrington

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Plant Properties

Origin(s)

Australia

NSW: Cultivar

Plant Type

Evergreen Fruit Shrub , Evergreen Fruit Tree

Evergreen Fruit Shrub,

Evergreen Fruit Tree

Climate Range(s) - Habitat

Arid-Semi / Steppe, Temperate Warm, Mediterranean

Arid-Semi / Steppe,

Temperate Warm,

Mediterranean

Climate Range(s) - Tolerance

Arid-Semi / Steppe, Oceanic, Temperate Cool, Temperate Warm, Mediterranean, Tropical-Sub

Arid-Semi / Steppe,

Oceanic,

Temperate Cool,

Temperate Warm,

Mediterranean,

Tropical-Sub

Aspect Range(s)

Sun - Full

Habitat Range(s)

Garden, Landscape

Garden,

Landscape

Habitat Zone(s)

Garden, Landscape

Garden,

Landscape

Mature Height

3-4m, 4-5m, 5-6m, 6-7m, 7-8m, 8-9m, 9-10m, 10-15m

3-4m,

4-5m,

5-6m,

6-7m,

7-8m,

8-9m,

9-10m,

10-15m

Mature Width

1-1.5m, 1.5-2m, 2-2.5m, 2.5-3m, 3-4m, 4-5m

1-1.5m,

1.5-2m,

2-2.5m,

2.5-3m,

3-4m,

4-5m

Plant Shape

Bun - Narrow

Domed - Narrow

Bun - Narrow,

Domed - Narrow

Growth Rate

Slow

Maturity

6-8 yrs

Life Span

30-50yrs

Leaf Properties

Colour (front)

Green-grey, Grey-green

Green-grey,

Grey-green

Colour (back)

Green-grey, Grey-green

Green-grey,

Grey-green

Shape(s)

Falcate

Oblanceolate

Spathulate

Falcate,

Oblanceolate,

Spathulate

Narrow

Aroma

Spicy-Slight

Texture (front)

Glabrous

Leathery

Glabrous,

Leathery

Texture (back)

Glabrous

Leathery

Glabrous,

Leathery

Leaf Length(s)

40-50mm, 50-60mm, 60-70mm, 70-80mm, 80-90mm, 90-100mm

40-50mm,

50-60mm,

60-70mm,

70-80mm,

80-90mm,

90-100mm

Leaf Width(s)

1-1.5mm, 1.5-2mm, 2-2.5mm, 2.5-3mm, 3-3.5mm, 3.5-4mm

1-1.5mm,

1.5-2mm,

2-2.5mm,

2.5-3mm,

3-3.5mm,

3.5-4mm

Margin

Entire

Bark / Stem / Culm Properties

Colour(s) Upper

Green

Colour(s) Lower

Green, Green-brown

Green,

Green-brown

Texture(s) Upper

Glabrous

Trunk / Stem Construction(s)

Wood Fibres / Solid

Wood - Soft

Trunk / Stem / Culm Cross Section

Terete

Trunk / Stem Feature(s)

Branched-densely

Flower Properties

Gender: Bisexual

Time(s)

Spring Early - Spring Late

Flower Colour(s)

Green-white, White

Green-white,

White

Flower Shape(s)

Stellate

Aroma(s)

Sweet-moderate

Pollinator(s)

Bees

Fruit Properties

Type

Hesperidium

Outer Colour(s)

Green-lime, Yellow Light

Green-lime,

Yellow Light

Outer Texture

Lumpy / Papillate / Papillose

Waxy

Lumpy / Papillate / Papillose,

Waxy

Aroma

Fruity-Slight

Season of Fruiting

Summer Early, Summer Mid

Summer Early,

Summer Mid

Maturation for Fruiting

1 yr., 2 yrs.

1 yr.,

2 yrs.

Root Properties

Type

Tap Plate

Fibrous

Tap Plate,

Fibrous

Invasiveness

Low

Soil Properties

Type(s)

Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam, Sand, Stony, Hummus Rich, Organic Matter

Clay-loam,

Loam,

Sandy-loam,

Sand,

Stony,

Hummus Rich,

Organic Matter

pH Range(s)

Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline

Acid,

Slightly Acid,

Neutral,

Slightly Alkaline

Condition(s)

Damp

Moist

Moist - Dry

Damp,

Moist,

Moist - Dry

Fertile , Poor , Deep , Well Drained

Fertile,

Poor,

Deep,

Well Drained

Salinities

Slight-Moderate

Waterlogging Class

W0 – Low tolerance

Watering Requirements

WR3 - never let soil dry out, WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering

WR3 - never let soil dry out,

WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering

Other Properties / Uses

Bee Attraction

Moderate

Bird Attraction

Insect, Habitat

Insect,

Habitat

Butterfly Attraction

Poor

Frog Habitat

None

Coastal

2nd Line

Edible(s)

Fruit

Fire Retarding

Poor

Drought Tolerance

Good

Frost Tolerance

Good

Snow Tolerance

None

Landscape Use

Moderate

Maintenance(s)

Pruning - Formative, Pruning - Shaping

Pruning - Formative,

Pruning - Shaping

Special Purpose(s)

Fruit-decorative, Garden-Australian Native, Garden-Coastal, Garden-Courtyard, Garden-Desert, Garden-Edible, Garden-Espalier, Garden-Informal, Garden-Mediterranean, Garden-Orchard, Garden-Pottager, Garden-Woodland, Garden-Xeriscape, Hedge-informal, Interesting Buds or Fruit, Irritating-Spines, Litter Issue - Fruit, Sand Binder, Soil Binder, Sunny Dry, Sunny Moist, Tolerant-Cockatoo's, Tolerant-Deer, Tolerant-Kangaroo's, Tolerant-Parrot's, Tolerant-Rabbits/Hares

Fruit-decorative,

Garden-Australian Native,

Garden-Coastal,

Garden-Courtyard,

Garden-Desert,

Garden-Edible,

Garden-Espalier,

Garden-Informal,

Garden-Mediterranean,

Garden-Orchard,

Garden-Pottager,

Garden-Woodland,

Garden-Xeriscape,

Hedge-informal,

Interesting Buds or Fruit,

Irritating-Spines,

Litter Issue - Fruit,

Sand Binder,

Soil Binder,

Sunny Dry,

Sunny Moist,

Tolerant-Cockatoo's,

Tolerant-Deer,

Tolerant-Kangaroo's,

Tolerant-Parrot's,

Tolerant-Rabbits/Hares

Fertilising Requirements

FR5, FR8 - apply Australian Native Plant fertiliser every 6 mths

FR5,

FR8 - apply Australian Native Plant fertiliser every 6 mths

Wind Tolerance

Moderate Winds, Hot / Dry Winds, Hot / Humid Winds

Moderate Winds,

Hot / Dry Winds,

Hot / Humid Winds

General Notes

Citrus glauca is one of the hardiest and most resilient Citrus species available. Generally evergreen, however in dry times it will lose it's leaves and survive on the green bark until rains come. It is a highly prized bush tucker food, eaten whole.

Citrus glauca 'Australian Outback Lime', a select grafted form with lack of thorns. The fruit is used in a range of products including beverages, marmalades, condiment to fish dishes, cocktails, pickles, chutneys, candied peel, with a strong lime flavour. They can also be frozen whole and popped in gin and tonic for a garnish and a burst of wild lime.