Seedless Lime fruit

Botanical Name: Citrus aurantifolia 'Bearss' Seedless Lim.

Persian Lime (Citrus x latifolia), also known as Tahiti lime or Bearss lime (named after John T. Bearss, who developed this seedless variety around 1895 in his nursery at Porterville, California), is a citrus fruit sold simply as a "lime" in the United States. The fruit is about 6 cm in diameter, often with slightly nippled ends, and is usually sold quite green, although it yellows as it reaches full ripeness. It is larger, thicker-skinned, and less aromatic than the key lime (Citrus aurantiifolia), which has a wider agricultural distribution worldwide. The advantages of the Persian lime in commercial agriculture compared to the Key lime are the larger size, absence of seeds, hardiness, absence of thorns on the bushes, and longer fruit shelf life. They are less acidic than key limes and don't have the bitterness that lends to the key lime's unique flavor. Persian limes are commercialized primarily in six sizes, known as 110's, 150's, 175's, 200's, 230's and 250's. Once grown primarily in Florida in the U.S.it rose to prominence after Key lime orchards were wiped out there by a hurricane in 1926, though Persian lime orchards themselves were devastated by Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Large numbers of Persian limes are grown, processed, and exported every year primarily from Mexico^[1] to the American, European and Asian markets. U.S. Persian lime imports from Mexico are handled mostly through McAllen, Texas^[2].^{[citation needed]}

The Bearss Seedless Lime tree is a heavy bearer of juicy lemon sized fruit in winter to early spring. The Bearss Seedless Lime tree grows into a densely branched, fully rounded crown, and this citrus plant grows well as an excellent container plant for patio or indoors in cold areas.

This seedless lime is a favorite for cooks and bartenders, with its crisp, clean flavor, less acidic than Key limes, that packs just the right punch for everything from drinks to cakes, chocolates, and lemon curds.

This self-pollinating California native is a fast grower, supplying loads of delicious fruit year-round, most heavily in winter in California and other warm regions. Its fruit is green-skinned with green flesh, although the skin yellows somewhat as it matures. It also offers lush, deep green foliage and fragrant white flowers that bloom in early spring. Its larger fruit size (6 cm in diameter), hardiness, lack of seeds and thorns, and longer fruit shelf life, make this lime extremely popular on the commercial market. It takes well to being grown in containers, as long as it is brought indoors when temperatures drop below freezing, so it provides delicious ripe fruit even in cooler coastal areas. Zones 9-11 (or in containers in any zone).