Hortus Botanicus Leiden, Netherlands

Common name: Djeroek poeroet, Makrut lime, Mauritius papeda, Jeruk purut

Family: Rutaceae (Rue family)

Distribution: Southeast Asia

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

Hardiness: Zone 09

Life form: Tree or shrub

Usage: Food plant (herb)

Comments: The leaves and fruits of this deciduous tree from Southeast Asia are used in various Asian cuisines. The fragrant oil of this plant is used in the perfume industry, and appears to be effective against leeches. The leaves have a wide-winged leafstalk, with thorns in the leaf axils. Hence the species name hystrix, which means porcupine in Greek. The flowers are small and fragrant, with up to 30 stamens. The fruits (papeda) are up to 7 cm in diameter, with a yellow or green bumpy rind. It can be grown from seed at home. This shrub is also called kaffir lime.