Finger Lime Could Be New Crop for Citrus Growers

Abstract

The finger lime is a citrus relative, scientifically named Microcitrus australasica. Finger limes are native to Australia and are so named because the fruits are long and fingerlike in shape (see figures 1 and 2). Finger limes belong to a group of similar citrus relatives, all originating from Australia with common names such as Round lime, Mount White lime, Kakadu lime and Russell River lime.

In Australia, finger limes have become popular as “bush tucker,” a category of foods that come from the wild and command high prices as a specialty crop. In addition to domestic consumption, a significant amount is also exported to Asia and Europe. In the United States, finger limes have remained rare, only occasionally found as a citrus curiosity and cultivated to a limited extent in California and Florida. But perhaps these funny, little fruits have more than meets the eye.