Native Australian Finger Lime

Native Australian Finger Lime (Citrus australasica)

Scientific name: Citrus australasica
Common names: Finger lime, Citrus caviar
Synonyms:
  • C. Australasica, var. sanguinea;
  • microcitrus Australasaica
Genus: Citrus
Did you know? The Native Australian Finger Lime Tree will reach between six or seven feet in height, making it a good choice for areas where tall trees are not wanted. Growers should keep in mind that the shrubs are rather thorny.
Native Australian Finger Lime
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About Native Australian Finger Lime Trees

What looks like pink, white or green caviar, grows on a tree and is scarcely bigger than your pinky finger? Native Australian finger limes! The tiny fruits’ rind color ranges from a sharp, yellowy green to deep red, depending on precise species and degree of ripeness. Cutting across the center reveals pearl-like buds that resemble fish roe in size and texture. They have a sharp, piquant flavor and are considered excellent when added to sushi, but can be used in other ways besides.

The plant is a thorny shrub or small understory tree that is native to the subtropical rainforest and rainforest areas in Queensland and in New South Wales. It will reach between six or seven feet in height, making it a good choice for areas where tall trees are not wanted. Growers should keep in mind that the shrubs are rather thorny. The leaves are small and round. The blooms are white, the fruits are small and cylindrical, shaped somewhat like a Boston pickling cucumber.

European settlers of Australia ate fruits from these trees and cleared around them. Recently, botanists have recommended cultivating them in Australia, and a few are being grown in California. Australians are in luck because they can eat these tasty fruits as “home-grown.” People who live elsewhere, such as in the United States, will pay at least $11 USD an ounce, plus shipping and handling. (Price is from Amazon, as of 4/8/2020).  If you live in Australia, your best source is a local farmer’s market because their harvest season is short and so is their shelf life.

As you might guess, the Australian finger lime is easy to grow in the subtropical and tropical parts of Australia. This makes it an excellent, easy-care tree for both backyard gardeners and commercial growers. The attractive green tree provides fruit in the autumn months.

Finger Lime tree

Planting

Native Australian Finger Lime: Planting

Australian finger limes can be grown from seed, from cuttings, or grafted onto rootstock. They can be grown as a container plant, but not as standard houseplants. They rarely do well in a space that is continually heated.

Avoid planting Australian finger limes where they will be crowded as they grow. Even though they are naturally understory trees, crowding and excess shading will make them grow tall and spindly.

On the flip side of that, you don’t want your AFL tree to get too much sun, as it can get sunburned. Think of a little shade, but a lot of air space.

Fortunately, Australian Finger Limes are not picky about soil pH and can be grown in just about any garden soil or standard potting mix.

Maintenance

Native Australian Finger Lime Trees: Ongoing Care and maintenance

Australian finger limes require less fertilizer than big citrus trees, such as Tahitian lime trees. An ideal method is to give an application in the spring but avoid fertilizing during fruiting as this might cause the tree to reject the fruit. For trees that are being grown out of doors, place a layer of mulch on the ground to prevent heating of soil, but it keeps away from the trunk.

Pruning is not greatly required by these small shrubs/trees, but it is a good idea to cut out any dead or dying branches and thin the inner branches where they cross one another to prevent the tree from shading itself. They can also be pruned for size control.

Watering is a bit of a delicate business. Australian finger limes like a good drink, but they do not like wet feet. Excellent drainage is a must, and they can even be allowed to get a little bit dry. If placing a drainage tray under an AFL, be sure to give it good support so that the plant does not become waterlogged.

Propagation

Native Australian Finger Lime Trees: Propagation

  • From Seed: plant the seeds in a location that is warm during the summer months and that experiences some cooler weather during the autumn and winter months. “Cooler” is a relative term here. A. finger limes need a little cool weather, but are not frost tolerant. If planting in a container, a sunny patio from which the container can be moved into a protected area is ideal. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy, as with most citrus plants.
  • From cuttings: Use your seasonal trimmings to create more plants. Dip the cut ends in a root-growth mix and follow the package directions for the mixture. When the roots are well established, place them in a container, and continue to monitor them.
  • Grafting: Frequently, Australian finger limes are grafted onto citrus trifoliata rootstock.

Taxonomy

Native Australian Finger Lime Trees: Taxonomy and Naming

Family: Rutacea

Genus: Citrus

Species: C. Australasica

Alternative Names: C. Australasica, var. sanguinea; microcitrus Australasaica

Related species: oranges, lemons, limes, kumquats

Common Names: finger lime, citrus caviar

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