Limequat

Limequats or Limquats (Citrus × floridana ( J.Ingram & H.Moore ) Mabb. ) Are citrus fruits that have arisen as a hybrid by crossing the genuine lime (Citrus aurantiifolia ) with two forms of Kumquat ( Fortunella margarita ).

Description

The Limequat grows as a small evergreen tree or shrub, and usually reaches heights of growth not exceeding 2.5 meters. The branches are slightly spiny. The leaves are oblong. It flowers whitish.

When the fruits of Limequat is small fruits of mostly 2-4 cm in size - with a green, thin shell has a thin mesocarp over a white, juice containing fruit pulp, which is divided into six to nine segments and contains light brown seeds. The flesh has an intensely sour taste, the dish has the intense aroma of lime.

System

The Limequats created in 1909 by Walter Tennyson Swingle breeding of the botanist ( 1871-1952 ) in Florida, who named it in 1913. It is the only major crossing of the Real lime with another citrus fruit. The scientific name Citrus x floridana was derived from the U.S. state of Florida, where the hybrids originated.

Synonyms for Citrus × floridana ( J.Ingram & H.Moore ) Mabb are: × Citrofortunella floridana ( JWIngram & HEMoore ) × Citrofortunella swinglei ( JWIngram & HEMoore ) (appointment by Walter Tennyson Swingle the breeder ).

Varieties

There are three varieties:

• ' Eustis ': Crossing the rights of lime with round shape Kumquat - named after the city of Eustis, Florida. Less than the variety ' Lakeland ' and is richer in nuclei. ' Eustis ' is the most commonly grown variety.
• ' Lakeland ': Crossing the rights of lime with round shape Kumquat - named after the city of Lakeland, Florida. Larger than the variety ' Eustis ' and nuclear poorer.
• ' Tavares ': Crossing the rights of lime with the oval shape of the Kumquat - named after the city of Tavares, Florida. ' Tavares ' is somewhat elongated fruits with a orangeren color of the shell.

Cultivation

The advantage of Limequat against the rights of lime is its higher cold tolerance / lower heat demand which allows for cultivation in subtropical areas.

The cultivation takes place ( among others ) in the southern states of the USA, Italy, Spain, Israel, South Africa etc., from where they are exported. Limequats are also used in suitable regions as an ornamental plant.

The economic importance of the cultivation of Limequats is low, since they usually are much more expensive than the fruits of genuine lime. Therefore, it is a rather offered as a curiosity or for decoration fruit.

Swell

• Limequat (As to the varieties: Eustis, Lakeland, and Tavares )
• Bernhard Voss: citrus plants, Stuttgart 2009

• Citrus fruit
• Hybrid