(L.) Burm.f., Rutaceae |
|
Present on Pacific Islands? yes
Primarily a threat at high elevations? no
Risk assessment results: Low risk, score: -3 (Go to the risk assessment)
Other Latin names: Citrus limonum Risso
Common name(s): [more details]
Chamorro: lemon reat, limon real |
Chinese: li meng, ning meng |
English: lemon |
Fijian: moli karokaro, moli ni vavalangi, moli sosoriatia |
French: citronnier, limonier |
I-Kiribati: remen, te remen, te remon |
Maori (Cook Islands): rēmene, rēmene papaa |
Niuean: sipolo, sipolo fua lalahi |
Palauan: debechel, malchianged |
Pohnpeian: karer, laman, lemon |
Pukapukan: lēmene papā |
Spanish: limón amarillo, limón sútil, limonero |
Tongan: lemani, lemani molemole |
Tongarevan (spoken): lēmene |
Tongarevan (written): rēmene |
Tuvaluan: laim, moli |
Habit: tree
Description: "The true lemon tree reaches 10 to 20 ft (3-6 m) in height and usually has sharp thorns on the twigs. The alternate leaves, reddish when young, become dark-green above, light-green below; are oblong, elliptic or long-ovate, 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 in (6.25-11.25 cm) long, finely toothed, with slender wings on the petioles. The mildly fragrant flowers may be solitary or there may be 2 or more clustered in the leaf axils. Buds are reddish; the opened flowers have 4 or 5 petals 3/4 in (2 cm) long, white on the upper surface (inside), purplish beneath (outside), and 20-40 more or less united stamens with yellow anthers. The fruit is oval with a nipple-like protuberance at the apex; 2 3/4 to 4 3/4 in (7 -12 cm) long; the peel is usually light-yellow though some lemons are variegated with longitudinal stripes of green and yellow or white; it is aromatic, dotted with oil glands; 1/4 to 3/8 in (6-10 mm) thick; pulp is pale-yellow, in 8 to 10 segments, juicy, acid. Some fruits are seedless, most have a few seeds, elliptic or ovate, pointed, smooth, 3/8 in (9.5 mm) long, white inside." (Morton, 1987, pp. 160-168)
"A tree or shrub 10-9 m high. Its leaves have short (5-10 mm long) petioles, margined or very narrowly winged, and ovate, serrate blades 5-10 x 3-6 cm. The flowers have white petals that are reddish-tinged in bud; the fruits are pale yellow-green when mature, up to 12 x 6 cm, with a fairly thick rind and pale yellow, sour pulp" (Smith, 1985; pp. 518-519).
Habitat/ecology: "Because of its more or less continuous state of growth, the lemon is more sensitive to cold than the orange and less able to recover from cold injury. The tree is defoliated at 22§ to 24§ F (-5.56§-4.44§ C). A temperature drop to 20§ F (-6.67§ C) will severely damage the wood unless there has been a fortnight of near-freezing weather to slow down growth. Flowers and young fruits are killed by 29§ F (-1.67§ C) and nearly mature fruits are badly damaged below 28§ F (-2.22§ C). On the other hand, the lemon attains best quality in coastal areas with summers too cool for proper ripening of oranges and grapefruit. Therefore, the lemon has a relatively limited climatic range. The lemon tree has the reputation of tolerating very infertile, very poor soil." (Morton, 1987, pp. 160-168)
In Fiji, "the lemon is seen from near sea level to an elevation of about 550 m, being cultivated and sometimes naturalized in waste places, pastures, and canefields, and on open hills" (Smith, 1985; pp. 518-519). In New Caledonia, "répandu dans les jardins et souvent naturalisé" (MacKee, 1994; p. 125).
Propagation: Seed
Native range: "The origin of the lemon is uncertain, although it may have come from southeastern Asia" (Smith, 1985; pp. 518-519).
Presence:
Pacific | |||
Country/Terr./St. & Island group |
Location |
Cited status &
Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction? |
Reference &
Comments |
Australia (Pacific offshore islands)
Lord Howe Island |
Lord Howe Island |
introduced
|
Pickard, J. (1984) (p. 208) |
Chile (offshore islands)
Juan Fernández Islands |
Isla Más a Tierra (Robinson Crusoe Island) |
introduced
invasive cultivated |
Atkinson, Rachel/Sawyer, John (2011) |
Chile (offshore islands)
Juan Fernández Islands |
Isla Más a Tierra (Robinson Crusoe Island) |
introduced
cultivated |
Danton, Philippe/Perrier, Christophe/Martinez Reyes, Guido (2006) (p. 552)
As Citrus limonium Risso |
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US)
Northern Mariana Islands |
Aguijan (Agiguan, Aguihan) Island | Wagner, W. L./ Herbst, D. R./Weitzman, A./Lorence, D.H. (2013) | |
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US)
Northern Mariana Islands |
Rota Island | Wagner, W. L./ Herbst, D. R./Weitzman, A./Lorence, D.H. (2013) | |
Cook Islands
Northern Cook Islands |
Manihiki Atoll |
introduced
cultivated |
McCormack, Gerald (2013) |
Cook Islands
Northern Cook Islands |
Manuae Atoll (Northern Cook Islands) |
introduced
cultivated |
McCormack, Gerald (2013) |
Cook Islands
Northern Cook Islands |
Penrhyn (Tongareva) Island |
introduced
cultivated |
McCormack, Gerald (2013) |
Cook Islands
Northern Cook Islands |
Pukapuka Atoll |
introduced
cultivated |
McCormack, Gerald (2013) |
Cook Islands
Northern Cook Islands |
Rakahanga Atoll |
introduced
cultivated |
McCormack, Gerald (2013) |
Cook Islands
Northern Cook Islands |
Suwarrow (Taka) Atoll |
introduced
cultivated |
McCormack, Gerald (2013) |
Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands |
Aitutaki Atoll |
introduced
cultivated |
McCormack, Gerald (2013) |
Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands |
Atiu Island |
introduced
cultivated |
McCormack, Gerald (2013) |
Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands |
Mangaia Island |
introduced
cultivated |
McCormack, Gerald (2013) |
Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands |
Mitiaro Island |
introduced
cultivated |
McCormack, Gerald (2013) |
Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands |
Palmerston (Avarau) Island |
introduced
cultivated |
McCormack, Gerald (2013) |
Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands |
Rarotonga Island |
introduced
cultivated |
McCormack, Gerald (2013) |
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands)
Floreana Group |
Floreana Island |
introduced
invasive cultivated |
Charles Darwin Foundation (2008) |
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands)
Isabela Group |
Isabela Island |
introduced
invasive cultivated |
Charles Darwin Foundation (2008) |
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands)
Isabela Group |
Volcán Sierra Negra, Isabela Island |
introduced
invasive cultivated |
Charles Darwin Foundation (2008) |
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands)
San Cristóbal Group |
San Cristóbal Island |
introduced
invasive cultivated |
Charles Darwin Foundation (2008) |
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands)
Santa Cruz Group |
Santa Cruz Island |
introduced
invasive cultivated |
Charles Darwin Foundation (2008) |
Federated States of Micronesia
Kosrae Island |
Kosrae Island |
introduced
|
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 123) |
Federated States of Micronesia
Kosrae Island |
Kosrae Island |
introduced
cultivated |
Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy (2010) (p. 24) |
Federated States of Micronesia
Pohnpei Islands |
Pohnpei Island |
introduced
cultivated |
Herrera, Katherine/Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy/Balick, Michael J. (2010) (p. 133)
Vouchers cited: E. Albert 210 (NY, PTBG), P. Raynor 129 (NY, PTBG) |
Federated States of Micronesia
Pohnpei Islands |
Pohnpei Island |
National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2004) (voucher ID: PTBG 43820)
Taxon name on voucher: Citrus limon |
|
Federated States of Micronesia
Yap Islands |
Ifalik (Ifaluk) Atoll |
introduced
|
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 123) |
Fiji
Fiji Islands |
Viti Levu Island |
introduced
invasive cultivated |
Smith, Albert C. (1985) (pp. 518-519)
Vouchers cited: DA 11756, DA 14818, DA 10018, DA 10019, DA 16653, DA 4057 |
French Polynesia
Society Islands |
Raiatea (Havai) Island |
introduced
cultivated |
Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 253)
Voucher cited: Moore 416 |
French Polynesia
Society Islands |
Tahiti Island |
introduced
cultivated |
Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 253)
Voucher cited: Florence 3871 |
French Polynesia
Society Islands |
Tahiti Island |
introduced
invasive |
Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013)
Voucher cited: J. Florence 3871 (PAP) Naturalisée |
French Polynesia
Tuamotu Archipelago |
Makatea (Maatea) Island |
introduced
invasive |
Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013)
Naturalisée |
French Polynesia
Austral (Tubuai) Islands |
Raivavae (Raevavae) Island |
introduced
invasive |
Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013)
Naturalisée |
French Polynesia
Austral (Tubuai) Islands |
Tubuai Island |
introduced
invasive |
Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013)
Naturalisée |
Guam
Guam Island |
Guam Island |
introduced
cultivated |
Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (p. 352)
Rare in cultivation. |
Guam
Guam Island |
Guam Island |
introduced
|
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 123) |
Kiribati
Kiribati |
Kiribati (Republic of) |
introduced
cultivated |
Thaman, R. R. (1987) (p. 33) |
Marshall Islands
Ratak Chain |
Arno Atoll |
introduced
cultivated |
Vander Velde, Nancy/Vander Velde, Brian (2007) (p. 11)
Not a positive identification. "Rare; single tree by house in Ine village; fruit sour and seemingly not highly prized". |
Marshall Islands
Ratak Chain |
Majuro (Mãjro) Atoll |
introduced
cultivated |
Vander Velde, Nancy (2003) (p. 122) |
Marshall Islands
Ratak Chain |
Wotje (Wõjjã) Atoll |
introduced
|
Vander Velde, Nancy/Vander Velde, Brian (2009) (p. 3)
Voucher cited: Vander Velde 0517200908 |
Nauru
Nauru Island |
Nauru Island |
introduced
cultivated |
Thaman, R. R./Fosberg, F. R./Manner, H. I./Hassall, D. C. (1994) (pp. 191-192) |
New Caledonia
New Caledonia Archipelago |
Île Grande Terre |
introduced
invasive cultivated |
MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 125)
Vouchers cited: Nithis 11 (NOU), Fukuoka & at. C-211 (NOU) Spontané |
New Zealand (offshore islands)
Kermadec Islands |
Raoul Island |
introduced
cultivated |
Sykes, W. R. (1977) (p. 139)
Relic of cultivation. |
Niue
Niue |
Niue Island |
introduced
cultivated |
Sykes, W. R. (1970) (p. 182)
Voucher cited: CHR 168942 |
Palau
Palau (Belau ) (main island group) |
Palau Islands (main island group) |
introduced
|
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 123) |
Palau
Sonsorol Group |
Sonsorol Island | Wagner, W. L./ Herbst, D. R./Weitzman, A./Lorence, D.H. (2013) | |
Papua New Guinea
Bismarck Archipelago |
Bismarck Archipelago |
introduced
cultivated |
Peekel, P. G. [translated by E. E. Henty] (1984) (p. 272)
Only occasionally planted. |
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands |
Solomon Islands |
introduced
cultivated |
Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 58) |
Pacific Rim | |||
Country/Terr./St. & Island group |
Location |
Cited status &
Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction? |
Reference &
Comments |
China
China |
China (People's Republic of) |
introduced
invasive cultivated |
Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013)
Cultivated and sometimes naturalized in S China. |
Singapore
Singapore |
Singapore (Republic of) |
introduced
invasive |
Chong, Kwek Yan/Tan, Hugh T. W./Corlett, Richard T. (2009) (p. 26)
Casual |
Indian Ocean | |||
Country/Terr./St. & Island group |
Location |
Cited status &
Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction? |
Reference &
Comments |
Australia (Indian Ocean offshore islands)
Christmas Island Group |
Christmas Island |
introduced
cultivated |
Swarbrick, J. T. (1997) (p. 109) |
British Indian Ocean Territory
Chagos Archipelago |
Diego Garcia Island |
introduced
invasive cultivated |
Rivers, Julie (2004) (pp. 5, 8) |
Maldives
Maldive Islands |
Maldive Islands | Fosberg, F. R. (1957) (p. 22) | |
Seychelles
Seychelles Islands |
Agalega Island |
introduced
|
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Stoddart, D. R. (1983) (p. 136) |
Seychelles
Seychelles Islands |
Frégate Island | Robertson, S. A./Todd, D. M. (1983) (p. 60) |
Comments: Widespread in cultivation.
Control: If you know of control methods for Citrus limon, please let us know.