Triphasia trifolia (PROSEA)
Introduction |
Triphasia trifolia (Burm.f.) P. Wilson
- Family: Rutaceae
Synonyms
Triphasia aurantiola Lour.
Vernacular names
- Lime berry (En). Indonesia, Malaysia: limau kiah, limau kikir, limau kingkit
- Philippines: kalamansito (Tagalog), sua-sua (Bikol)
- Cambodia: kroch chen
- Thailand: manao-thet (Bangkok)
- Vietnam: kim quít.
Distribution
Probably a native of South-East Asia, now widespread, naturalized and cultivated in many tropical and subtropical regions.
Uses
Fruits are made into preserves (marmalades, sweetmeats, etc.). The leaves are used medicinally against stomachache, the fruits against cough. Young fruits produce a good glue. The plant is popular as a hedge and the wood makes a good charcoal; it is also used as rootstock for citrus.
Observations
Erect evergreen shrub, 1-3(-7) m tall, armed with sharp spines. Leaves trifoliolate, distichous; flowers white, fragrant. Fruit an ellipsoid berry, ca. 1.5 cm long, red, pulp very viscid. Wild in thickets at low altitudes, cultivated often in hedges. Growth is slow.
Selected sources
3, 8, 10, 26, 51.