Triphasia trifolia (Burm. f.) P. Wilson

Lime-berry

Limeberry is a tropical evergreen perennial shrub native to tropical southeast Asia, including the Indonesian islands and the Phillippines. Grown in tropical regions elsewhere, it is a poten­tial invasive, as in Florida, Texas, and parts of the Caribbean. It thrives in both sun and shade.

Plants: A woody shrub or small tree up to 9½′ (3 m) tall.

Leaves: Trifoliate, glossy, dark green. Leaflets are ¾–1½ ⨉ ½–¾″ (2–4 ⨉ 1.5–2 cm). Each group of three leaflets includes a terminal leaflet ¾–1½″ (2–4 cm) long, and two much smaller lateral leaflets ⅜–¾ ⨉ ¼–⅜″ (1.2–2 cm ⨉ 8–12 mm). Leaflets are waxy and smooth, rounded at the tip, and narrow (cuneate) at the base.

Flowers: White, fragrant, with three petals. Each petal is ~5/16 ⨉ ⅛″ (8–9 ⨉ 4 mm), with six stamens.

Fruits: Ellipsoid to spherical, ⅜–½″ (1–1.5 cm) in diameter, with 1-3 seeds. They are dull reddish orange, or crimson when ripe.

Habitats: Sunny open areas as well as in shaded areas beneath the canopy forest, in tropical forests.

Edibility: Fruits are edible, with a taste resembling lime, but somewhat sweeter. They are eaten raw or cooked, pickled, or made into jams. They are a potential fruit crop.

Medical: Alleged antimicrobial properties have not yet been thoroughly studied.

Online References:

Older scientific or horticultural names

Triphasia trifolia description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.