What is the Difference Between Lime and Lemon Trees?

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The main differences between lime and lemon trees are:

  1. Leaves: Lemon tree leaves are elongated and have smooth edges, while lime tree leaves are rough, heart-shaped, and have serrated edges. On average, lemon trees have longer leaves than lime trees, and they also have distinct oblong leaves.
  2. Fruit size: Full-sized lemon fruits are typically larger than mature lime fruits.
  3. Fruit color: Lemons are usually bright yellow, while limes are dark green. However, this distinction is not always reliable, as there are some hybrid varieties with fruits that have a combination of lemon and lime flavors and colors.
  4. Types of lime trees: There are different types of lime trees, such as the key lime tree (also known as the Mexican lime tree) and the Persian lime tree. The key lime tree grows to be around 20 feet tall and has yellow-green limes, while the Persian lime tree also grows to be around 20 feet tall and has beautiful white flowers with hints of purple.

In summary, the main differences between lime and lemon trees are the leaves, fruit size, fruit color, and the various types of lime trees. While both are members of the citrus family, they are distinct species and do not grow on the same tree.

Comparative Table: Lime vs Lemon Trees

Here is a table comparing the differences between lime and lemon trees:

Feature Lime Trees Lemon Trees
Leaves Alternating leaves up and down their stem Longer leaves
Fruit Lime trees have yellow-green limes, varying in size depending on the tree Lemon trees have vibrant yellow fruit with varying intensity, ranging from pale yellow to deep yellow
Nutrition Limes are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and folate Lemons are a richer source of vitamin C and folate, with 39mg of vitamin C and 20ug of folate found in 100g of raw lemon juice
Taste Limes have a slightly bitter, acidic taste Lemons have a sour, acidic taste
Texture Limes have a pale green flesh that is tender and succulent Lemons have a vibrant yellow flesh that is juicy and slightly fibrous
Skin Limes have a consistent green hue throughout and sometimes a slightly yellowish tinge when fully ripe Lemons have a thicker, textured skin that is vibrant yellow
Tree Type Key lime tree (also known as Mexican lime tree) and Persian lime tree are two common types No specific tree types mentioned in search results
Height Lime trees typically grow around 20 feet tall No specific height mentioned in search results

Please note that the information in this table is based on the search results and may not be exhaustive.