Red lemon
| Red lemon | |
|---|---|
| Genus | Citrus |
| Species | Citrus limonimedica |
| Cultivar | 'Pigmentata' |
The red lemon, also known as limon rosso or limone rosso ISA,[1] and botanically classified as Citrus limonimedica 'Pigmentata', is a species of small evergreen tree in the Citrus genus of the flowering plant family Rutaceae. It is a hybrid of the lemon and the citron.[2] The tree's fruits, also referred to as red lemons, resemble a red or deep orange version of a true lemon, both outside and inside.[2][3] Red lemons have a short shelf life, typically lasting only two or three days, and thus they are not often grown commercially.[2] It is instead typically cultivated on a small scale through specialty growers,[2] especially in eastern Sicily, near Syracuse.[4] It is also grown as a novelty fruit tree in home gardens in Italy.[2]
Description
[edit]The tree is an evergreen[3] and is of medium vigor.[1] It has a globose canopy, with branches that are not very spiny.[1] The foliage is variegated.[3]
The tree is of medium re-flowering.[1] It blossoms in the spring and summer.[2] The flowers are white and medium perfumed.[1] These flowers are either single or in small groups.[1]
Fructification is early and medium abundant.[1] The fruit is large, very persistent, ellipsoidal, having been described as an "almost elongated 'drop'" shape,[3] with a large apical nipple and an intense, attractive anthocyanic red color on 70-80% of its surface when ripe.[1]
Origins
[edit]The origin appears not to be known with certainty.[1] At least one source states that it is believed to be native to the Mediterranean region.[2]
Alternative names
[edit]The red lemon is also known by many other names across Europe, including rosso lemons, limone rosso, mulled wine lemon, red citron, blushing lemons, and red pigmented lemons.[2]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Sottile, Francesco; Del Signore, Maria Beatrice; Barone, Ettore (April 15, 2019). "Ornacitrus: Citrus plants (Citrus spp.) as ornamentals" (PDF). reference-global.com. Retrieved July 22, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 SpecialtyProduce. "Red Lemon Fruit". specialtyproduce.com. Retrieved July 22, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "copy of Lemon Tree Red Pulp Variegated Leaf". mondopiante.com. Retrieved July 22, 2026.
- ↑ italyexplores (July 22, 2026). "ONE OF ITALY'S RAREST CITRUS FRUITS COMES FROM SICILY". Instagram. Retrieved July 22, 2026.
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