Limequat ( Latin Citrus × floridana , English limequat ) is a plant from the genus Citrus ( Citrus ) of the Rutaceae family [2] , which is a hybrid of lime ( Citrus aurantiifolia ) and kumquat ( Citrus japonica ) [3] . Earlier, limequat was also allocated to a separate hybrid genus × Citrofortunella [2] .
| Limequat |
|---|
 |
|
|
|
Citrus × floridana ( JW Ingram & HE Moore ) Mabb. 1998 |
|
The hybrid was bred in 1909 [4] . Three varieties are known - 'Eustis', 'Lakeland' and 'Tavares' [3] .
In size, shape and chemical composition, limequat fruits are very similar to lime fruits; the color of the shoots of the 'Tavares' variety differs from the other two (orange in fruits and pink in flowers) [3] .
Limequat is more frost-resistant than lime, but inferior to kumquat in frost resistance [3] .
None of the limequat varieties has achieved commercial value as a food product, although, as noted, limequat can be a good substitute for lime. However, 'Eustis' and 'Lakeland' can be grown as ornamental and indoor plants [3] .
