What is Key lime?
{{Taxobox | name = Key Lime | image = Key lime.jpg | image_width = 240px | image_caption = Key Lime | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]] | classis = [[Magnoliopsida]] | ordo = [[Sapindales]] | familia = [[Rutaceae]] | genus = ''[[Citrus]]'' | species = '''''C. aurantiifolia''''' | binomial = ''Citrus aurantiifolia'' | binomial_authority = (Christm.) Swingle }} The '''Key lime''' is a [[citrus fruit]]. Its [[Latin language|Latin]] name is ''Citrus aurantiifolia'' (often, less correctly: ''C. aurantifolia''), or ''Citrus'' x ''aurantiifolia'' (Christm.) Swingle. It is also known as the '''Mexican lime''', '''West Indian lime''' or '''Bartender's lime'''. It is a [[shrub]] that grows to about 5m in height. Its fruit is 2.5-5 cm in diameter (1-2 in). The fruit is yellow when ripe but usually, it is picked green. It is smaller, seedier, has higher acidity, a stronger aroma, and a thinner [[rind]] than that of the more common [[Persian lime]]. It is valued for its unique flavor compared to other lime. The Key lime usually has a more tart and bitter flavor. It is perhaps most distinguished as an ingredient in the [[Key lime pie]]. ''C. aurantiifolia'' is a shrubby tree, that grows to 5 m (16 ft), with many [[Spine (biology)|thorns]]. Dwarf varieties are popular with home growers and can be grown indoors in winter in colder climates. The trunk rarely grows straight, with many branches that often originate quite far down on the trunk. The leaves are ovate 2.5–9 cm (1–3.5 in) long. They resemble [[Orange (fruit)|orange]] leaves (the scientific name ''aurantiifolia'' refers to the leaves' resemblance). The [[flower]]s are 2.5 cm (1 in) in diameter. They are yellowish-white with a light purple tinge on the margins. Flowers and fruit appear throughout the year but are most abundant from May to September {{ref|description_a}} {{ref|description_b}}. ''C. aurantiifolia'' originally came from [[Southeast Asia]]. It was introduced through the [[Middle East]] to [[North Africa]] and [[Europ