Citrus Limon is the botanical name for the ‘Eureka’ lemon, the ever popular smooth-skinned lemon that is used extensively in households all around the country.
Citrus Limon originates from Asia, although the commercial cultivar ‘Eureka’ is of Californian origin. It was discovered in Los Angeles in 1858 and is believed to be of Italian stock. Today it is one of the most widely grown fruit trees in orchards and in the home garden.
A robust evergreen tree, the ‘Eureka’ lemon can attain a mature height of around 5 metres. Its leaves are large, leathery and aromatic, and borne on slightly drooping branches with very few thorns. New growth tips are tinged with a distinctive purple colour. White, sweetly scented flowers with a purple blush are produced in abundance at regular intervals throughout the year, ensuring that lemons are available almost all year round. Mature ‘Eureka’ lemon trees generally have ripe fruit on them all the time, except when unfavourable climatic conditions lead to stress and the loss of fruit and flowers.
