Native to northeast NSW and southeast Queensland, the Finger Lime has swiftly emerged as one of Australia’s most sought-after bushfoods, thanks to its distinctive fruit and promising potential as a commercial crop. While prized as a gourmet ingredient for its delightful fruits, the Finger Lime can be easily cultivated at home in any suitable backyard or balcony. True to their name, Finger Limes boast a slender, finger-like shape, with pulp reminiscent of both Lime and Lemon flavours. Unlike typical citrus, however, the vesicles of the Finger Lime remain intact when the fruit is squeezed, bursting with a caviar-like sensation when consumed. These flavourful vesicles are delightful as a bright, fresh popping garnish or used in sauces. Finger Limes are a genetically diverse species, exhibit significant natural variability, yielding an extensive array of cultivars. These cultivars showcase a striking range of characteristics, including flavor, size, colour, and shape. Ranging from 4 to 15cm in size, Finger Limes come in oval to elongated forms, displaying enchanting colours spanning from bright green to red, dark pink, orange, and light yellow. Moreover, they offer distinctly varying flavours and levels of sourness. From the burgundy-skinned Pink Ice, with its pink pearls exuding the aroma of Grapefruit, to the dark green-skinned Alstonville, boasting a seedless lime-coloured interior, and the maroon-skinned Byron Sunrise, filled with vivid, dark orange pearls, there is a tantalising range of cultivars available. The Finger Lime is one of the many exciting Australian Bushfoods such as the closely related Desert Lime and more distantly related Lemon Aspen. The cultivation requirements for Finger Limes mirror those of other Citrus varieties, preferring moderate rainfall, a sheltered location, and fertile, slightly-acidic, well-drained soils. Finger Limes stand out for their tolerance of partial shade, a trait uncommon among citrus species. While these plants naturally thrive in forest undercanopies, they also excel in full sun conditions where they develop a tight, domed form and increased productivity. Finger Limes should be sheltered from hot, drying winds and mulched generously to retain soil moisture. Finger Limes are commonly grafted onto hardy citrus rootstocks, yielding robust trees, although cutting-grown plants are also available and viable in ideal climates. Developing into dense shrubs or small trees, Finger Limes feature small leaves and large, spiky stems, making them ideal for both edible, protective hedges and nesting habitats for small birds. Finger Limes bear small, pink flower buds that blossom into delicate white flowers. These plants typically remain under 5-6 metres in height and are easily shaped through pruning. They are suitable for hedging or can be grown in containers. Finger Limes are an excellent option for edible gardens, native plant enthusiasts, citrus collectors, or cooks seeking a distinctive, bright garnish.
All Varieties are Grafted unles noted. (G) = Grafted, (S) = Seedling, (C) = Cutting. Please reach out to us (Contact & Socials) if you come across any broken links, incorrect details, or if you represent an online nursery that sells the products mentioned above.
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