Botanical Name: Citrus glauca
Family: Rutaceae
Kingdom:Plantae
Order: Sapindales
Genus: Citrus
Species: C. glauca
Synonyms:
*Atalantia glauca (Lindl.) Benth. & Hook.f.
*Atalantia glauca var. inermis F.M.Bailey
*Eremocitrus glauca (Lindl.) Swingle
*Triphasia glauca Lindl.
Common Names: Desert lime,Australian Outback Lime
Habitat : Desert lime native to Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia.
Description:
Desert lime is a thorny shrub or small tree to 12 metres it has several unusual characteristics. It is cold, heat, drought and salinity tolerant and thought evergreen, if the rains should fail it will shed its leaves and live off the green bark on the plant branches. It will set fruit almost immediately after flowering and is the earliest citrus to do so. Fruit is small and variable and depends on current climatic conditions and genetic make-up. Thorns appear on low growing branches to prevent grazing by rabbits, kangaroos, cattle etc but cease on branches above the grazing level. The fruit is small with an intense piquant flavour and good rainfall years produce an abundance of fruit.
Edible Uses:
This fruit is popular in many delicacies made in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. Desert lime is used in making a wide array of edible products such as juices, chutneys, spreads, beverages, jams, dressings, slushes, ice creams and even a great fruit to be used in its raw form. Known for its strong flavor this fruit is also used as a flavoring agent in marmalades, beverages, and other delicacies. This fruit goes really well with the popular sea food of the Australian cuisine. The flavor of this fruit is so strong that even when used in minimum quantities it gives a tantalizing effect to the taste buds. What was once rarely found now is being domesticated for easier accessibility and also because of its storage value. This fruit can be stored in cold temperature for future use.
Health Benefits:
Desert lime is rich in methoxy flavone ghycosides ? limnocitrin. Glycosides is a skin healer and is used as a natural repairer of the skin. It helps in absorption of vital ingredients needed for good skin and also helps in hydrating the skin keeping it supple and soft.
Desert lime is known to be a significant provider of antioxidant and it also enables a healthy immune system. Aiding the body to resist against various diseases. The main component of the collective tissue collagen’s production is also supported by the consumption of this fruit. Another beauty benefit gained from this fruit is that being rich in furanocoumarin, this fruit consist of properties that are anti ageing, skin repairing agent also it heals wounds and aids early skin regeneration.
Desert lime is also very rich in coumarin that helps in acting as a anti fungicidal, has anti-inflammatory benefits and also acts as an anti-oxidant. They are also added in sunscreens as they help in blocking out short wave UV rays that are harmful to the skin.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citrus_glauca
https://www.fruitsinfo.com/desert-lime-fruit.php#Uses-of-Desert-lime
