Spanish Lime, Genip, Quenepa, Mamoncillo

Frost Tolerance: Tender in Phoenix, foliage damaged at 32° F (0° C), serious damage at 25° F (-6° C)

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Origin: Central America, Nicaragua to Colombia, Caribbean

Growth Habits: Medium sized to large tree, up to 100 feet tall (30 m)

Watering Needs: Occasional deep watering in summer for established plants

Propagation: Seeds, approach grafting

This tropical American tree is widely cultivated in the West Indies for its fruit. It is a medium-sized to large tree and is often planted along roadsides.

Blooming Habits:
The small, greenish-white, fragrant flowers are borne in panicles from the branch tips at the beginning of the rainy season. The tree generally are polygamous, that is , they produce both bisexual flowers and those of one sex only. The anthers of many bisexual flowers are non-functional so that fruits do not develop unless cross-pollination occurs. Care should be taken, therefore, to set out plants with flowers of each sex.

Fruiting Habits:
In Puerto Rico, the fruit ripens from July to September, appearing like bunches of large, green grapes. These are cut and peddled widely along roadsides and streets.
The ovoid fruit measures a little over 1 inch in length, but an occasional tree bears fruit twice this size. Inside the tight, thin skin, which is easily cracked by the teeth, lies a thin layer of sweet-tart yellow pulp surrounding a large ovoid seed. This pulp is a good source of iron. The seeds are said to be edible after roasting.

Propagation:
Propagation is by seeds, but selected varieties can be propagated by approach grafting.