Triphasia trifolia (Burm.f.) P.Wilson
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Authority
Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro & collaborators. 1996. Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 78: 1-581.
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Family
Rutaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Shrub 1—2(—3) m tall; twigs nearly cylindrical, puberulent, with (l-)2 stipular spines per node, usually arched or leaning. Leaflets 3 or less often only 1 or 2, coriaceous, glabrous or puberulent, the apex obtuse and deeply notched, the margins crenate, the terminal leaflets 2.5-5 X 1.2-3.5 cm, lanceolate, with a cuneate base, the basal leaflets 1-2.5 x 0.6-2.2 cm, elliptic, with an obtuse base; petioles 2-4 mm long, puberulent. Flowers fragrant, 3-merous, a few in axillary or terminal racemes, the axes 4-5 mm long. Calyx funnel-shaped, lobed, ca. 4 mm long; petals white, 8-9 mm long, obovate, with cuneate base; stamens 6, the filaments subulate, light green; nectary disk ca. 0.5 mm high; ovary glabrous, ellipsoid, the style terminal, stout, the stigma white, fleshy. Berry ellipsoid to globose, with mucilaginous pulp and a lemon-scented red or orange skin. Seeds 1-3 per fruit, ellipsoid, 6-7 mm long.
Distribution and Ecology - Naturalized after cultivation, a common understory shrub of coastal dry forests and open coastal areas. Sieben (A2060), Reef Bay (A2723). Native of the East Indies, cultivated and naturalized on St. Croix, St. Thomas, Tortola, and throughout the Caribbean.
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Discussion
Common name: sweet lime.