Citrus limon

The lemon is a member of the citrus or Rutaceae family and grows to a height of up to 6 m tall. It needs a minimum temperature of about 7°C, so is not grown unprotected in temperate climates.

The lemon is used throughout the world for culinary and non-culinary purposes. Its juice is about 6% acid, giving it a sour taste.

• Leaves are reddish when young, and become dark green above, light green below.
• Flowers are solitary, or in groups of two or more with 4 or 5 petals, white on upper surface, purplish beneath.
• Fruit is oval with a nipple-like protuberance; colour is light-yellow. Surface is dotted with oil glands.
• Buds are reddish in colour.