The Spanish Lime
Scientific Name: Melicoccus bijugatus
Family: Sapindaceae
The Spanish lime (Meliococcus bijugatus)
is a medium-to-large tree native to the Caribbean region of Tropical
America. It is often known in these areas as 'genip' or 'mamoncillo'.
This
tree is not known widely in Florida because of its tenderness to cold,
and is best known in the extreme southern portion of the state and the
Florida Keys. In its native areas, it is widely found over a broad
range of soil conditions, but it seems especially adapted to dry areas
with poor rocky soils.
Trees grow two to three feet a year and
bloom period occurs in Florida usually in April, with the fruit
ripening from July through October. Although trees often bloom quite
well, many set few fruits and this is because the trees are polygamous,
often producing flowers that are both bisexual and those which are only
of one sex. Most bisexual flowers are non-functional and do not set
fruit unless cross-pollination occurs. Isolated trees rarely set fruit,
and for best fruiting, plant several trees together in close proximity
so that adequate cross-pollination will occur.
The fruits hang
in clusters near the terminals of the tree and look like large grapes;
fruit size generally is about an inch to two inches in diameter. Inside
the tough greenish skin lies a layer of thin sweetish-tart
orangy-yellow pulp surrounding a large seed. Some varieties of Spanish
lime are sweet, while others are very acid.
The pulp adheres to
the seed in most cases, making removal of the pulp difficult. There are
some varieties, however, that are said to be freestone, and the pulp
separates cleanly from the seed.
Spanish lime is propagated by
seed, or better varieties can be air-layered or grafted. There is much
variation among seedling trees in yield and fruit quality so it is
always best where possible to buy grafted or air-layered trees to get
superior fruit. Some named varieties available in Florida at the
present time include 'Queen', 'Montgomery' and others.
Trees
both young and large are quite cold-sensitive, and should be planted in
areas where they are protected from freezing temperatures. Mature trees
will tolerate only a brief exposure to below-freezing temperatures
without serious damage, and small trees are badly damaged or killed if
temperatures fall to the freezing point.
In the landscape, for
increased production, fertilize Spanish lime with a fruit-tree type
fertilizer every four months during the year. Although quite
drought-tolerant, trees will grow and produce greater quantities of
fruit if irrigated, especially during the spring dry season. Trees seem
to have very few insect or disease pests, and rarely require any
spraying for problems.
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Mamoncillo Page
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