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Triphasia trifolia - (Burm.f.)P.Wilson.

Common Name Lime Berry
Family Rutaceae
USDA hardiness 9-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Arid ground[245].
Range E. Asia - probably originally native to Java, or perhaps from China to the Philippines, long cultivated it is not known in a truly wild situation.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (4 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Triphasia trifolia Lime Berry


commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Triphasia_trifolia_Blanco1.129-cropped.jpg
Triphasia trifolia Lime Berry

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Triphasia trifolia is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft 10in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

T. aurantiola. Lour. Limonia trifolia.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses: Gum

Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 105, 177, 183]. Red and fleshy[1], the fully ripe fruit has an agreeable sweet taste[1, 2]. Aromatic, juicy and somewhat mucilaginous, the fruit can also be pickled or made into jams etc[183]. The fruit is about 15mm in diameter[200].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antidiarrhoeal  Skin

The leaves are applied to the body in the treatment of diarrhoea, colic and skin diseases[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Cosmetic  Gum  Incense

The leaves are used as an aromatic bath[61]. The leaves are used as cosmetics[240]. A gum runs from the stem[240], though the report does not mention any uses for this gum.

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a moderately heavy loam with a generous amount of compost and sand added and a very sunny position[200]. Prefers a pH between 5 and 6[200]. Intolerant of water logging[200], strongly disliking winter wet[1]. Most reports say that this species is not hardy in Britain, requiring greenhouse protection[1, 200], but one report says that a plant outdoors at Boslewick in Cornwall produces fruit[59]. Plants are sometimes cultivated for their edible fruit[183]. All parts of the plant are aromatic. The white flowers have a scent of orange blossom[245]. The leaves are covered in pellucid dots and release a resinous scent when bruised[245]. The fruits are lemon-scented[245].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a warm greenhouse as soon as it is ripe if this is possible. Otherwise sow the seed in early spring in a warm greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first two winters. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

A-koto, Angu, Apala, Asowntem, Bamia, Bendi, Bhindee, Bhindi, Binda, Bindi, Bondo, Cantarela, Derere rechipudzi, Derere, Dheras, Dherosh, Enmomi, Fetri, Gombaut, Gombo, Gumbo, Guro, Gusha, Idelele, Ikhievbo, Ilasha, Ilo, Ka fei huang kui, Kacang bendi, Kopi arab, Kubewa, Lafeu, Lieka, Loka, Maana, Ma-lontho, Mesta, Muomi, Miagorro, Nathando, Nkruma, Obori, Ochro, Okworu, Okwulu, Otigo-iwoka, Pahari bendi, Pingpesi, Pui, Quiabo, Quimbambo, Taku, Uisul hme, Vandakai, lime berry|kasthuri dehi, orangine.

Native Range

Coming Soon

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Burm.f.)P.Wilson.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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