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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Persian lime
| image = Limes.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| subclassis = [[Rosidae]]
| ordo = [[Sapindales]]
| familia = [[Rutaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Citrus]]''
| species = '''''C. latifolia'''''
| binomial = ''Citrus latifolia''
| binomial_authority = (Yu. Tanaka) Tanaka
}}
'''Persian Lime''' (''Citrus x latifolia''), also known as '''Tahiti lime''' or '''Bearss lime''', is a [[citrus]] fruit grown commercially in the U.S. and sold simply as a "[[lime (fruit)|lime]]". The fruit is about 6 cm in diameter, often with slightly nippled ends, and is usually sold quite green, although it yellows as it reaches full ripeness. It is larger, thicker-skinned, and less aromatic than the [[key lime]], which has a wider agricultural distribution worldwide. The advantages of the Persian lime in commercial agriculture compared to the Key lime are the larger size, absence of seeds, hardiness, absence of thorns on the bushes, and longer fruit [[shelf life]]. They are less acidic than [[key limes]] and don't have the bitterness that lends to the key lime's unique flavor. Persian limes are commercialized primarily in six sizes, known as 110's, 150's, 175's, 200's, 230's and 250's. Grown primarily in [[Florida]] in the U.S{{Verify source|date=July 2007}}, it rose to prominence after Key lime orchards were wiped out there by a hurricane in [[1926]], though Persian lime orchards themselves were devastated by [[Hurricane Andrew]] in [[1992]]. Large numbers of Persian limes are grown, processed and exported every year primarily from MartÃnez de la Torre, [[Veracruz]], [[Mexico]]{{Verify source|date=July 2007}}, to the [[United States|American]], [[Europe|European]] and [[Asia|Asian]] Markets. U.S. Persian lime imports from Mexico are handled mostly through [[McAllen]], [[Texas]].
===Tree Characteristics===
Seed type: Angiosperm
Leaf shape: Ovate shaped with whole margins
Leaf position: Alternate
Type of fruit: Hesperidium
==References==
*[http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/tahiti_lime.html Tahiti lime botany, agriculture, and history]
*[http://www.tonytantillo.com/fruits/limes.html history and use of limes]
*[http://www.innvista.com/health/foods/fruits/limes.htm history and varieties of limes]
*[http://www.foodreference.com/html/artkeylimes.html Key limes and others]
[[Category:Citrus]]