Triphasia trifolia

taxobox
name = "Triphasia trifolia"

---

image_caption = Foliage and fruit
regnum = Plantae
unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
unranked_classis = Eudicots
unranked_ordo = Rosids
ordo = Sapindales
familia = Rutaceae
genus = "Triphasia"
species = "T. trifolia"
binomial = "Triphasia trifolia"
binomial_authority = (Burm.f.) P.Wils.|

"Triphasia trifolia" (syn. "Limonia trifolia" Burm. f., "Triphasia aurantiola" Lour.; also called limeberry, lime berry, or limoncito) is a species of "Triphasia" in the family Rutaceae, native to tropical southeastern Asia in Malaysia and possibly elsewhere.Huxley, A, ed. (1992). "New RHS Dictionary of Gardening" 3: 697. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.] Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk: [http://www.hear.org/Pier/species/triphasia_trifolia.htm "Triphasia trifolia"] ]

It is an evergreen shrub (rarely a small tree) growing to 3 m tall. The leaves are trifoliate, glossy dark green, each leaflet 2-4 cm long and 1.5-2 cm broad. The flowers are white, with three petals 10-13 mm long and 4 mm broad. The fruit is a red, edible hesperidium 10-15 mm diameter, similar to a small "Citrus" fruit.Plants for a Future: [http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Triphasia+trifolia "Triphasia trifolia"] ]

Cultivation and uses

It is grown for its edible fruit, and has been widely introduced to other subtropical to tropical regions of the world; it has become naturalized on a number of islands in the tropical Pacific Ocean. The Limeberry has been used as a bonsai plant.

This tree is also considered a weed in other introduced locations.

References