Some years back, I got a citrus from Stan that he believed to be a finger lime. I have always had my doubts, because of the way it looked compared with other finger limes I have seen (and have). (I might add that I have not seen that many close up and personal, but I figured they must all look about alike.) Anyway, the one I got from Stan finally bloomed and set fruit. Here is a picture.



This fruit looks a lot like the one on Citrange's web site called the "sanguinea" variety, so maybe Stan was right after all. Maybe Citrange could comment if he still frequents this forum. I would also appreciate comments from anyone else that might have an idea of what this is.

http://www.saalfelds.freeserve.co.uk/microcitrusaustralasica.htm

Ned

Hi Ned. Maybe a hybrid of the fingerlime with another citrus. I have the same plant, but mine has not bloomed yet. I think I remember Stan saying he got the seeds from a fruit he picked at some garden in Florida years back.

That is what Stan told me also. He said the plant he found the fruit under was a finger lime. I guess that means it is either something like the finger lime pictured at Citrange's web site, or maybe Stan ended up with a hybrid seedling. It will be interesting to taste the fruit.

My tree sit around in a pot for years without blooming. I forgot to water it a couple of times this spring, and I think the stress prompted it to bloom.

Ned

Yes, that's definitely a hybrid.
First, the leaves are too long and thin for a pure fingerlime.
Second, true Australian fingerlimes are always virtually cylindrical over most of their length. Rather like a tiny cucumber, they can be bent into a crescent, and have pointed or necked ends. But they don't have the swollen centre portion of your fruit.
Even my 'sanguinea' variety could well be a hybrid, as it is significantly different in shape from any found naturally in Australia. The 'sanguinea' refers to the red internal colour. Mine only has a faint pink colour.
After corresponding with several knowledgable Australian growers, I believe most of the fingerlime plants available in Europe and USA are probably not pure types.
I've not yet heard of a fingerlime that has any degree of sweetness. Most are very sour with hints of turpentine. Maybe OK for savoury sauces and marmalades but nothing else. But their interesting shape and very variable skin colour makes for interesting breeding possibilities. Perhaps a cross with an acidless orange or pummelo would create something edible.
I look forward to seeing a picture of your ripe fruit, and comments on its taste.
Mike aka Citrange

Thanks for your input Mike. I will be sure to post more pictures when they ripen, along with my perception as to how they taste. I am not sure when they will ripen, but if in November, I will try to take a few to the Citrus Expo in Tifton.

Ned