Lime

Lime

Lime Citrus aurantifolia comes from south-east Asia. It produces green limes which have the typical structure of citrus fruits. The segments of the ovary (carpels) form separate juicy slices in the fruit, each containing seeds (pips) and juice cells. In the past, English sailors embarking on long voyages ran short of fresh fruits and vegetables and suffered from the vitamin deficiency disease called scurvy. They cured this condition by eating limes that provided the vitamin C that they lacked. This is why an Englishman is sometimes called a limey. [CH] {FW}