A recent study published in the Agricultural Sciences in China journal has shed some light on the “Long controversial taxonomic history” of citrus and it’s relatives. Until recent times taxonomy of Citrus (including Microcitrus) has been based on physical morphology, giving rise to much subjective debate. Now, this new study has made use of cpDNA, found in the chloroplasts and pasted down from the maternal parent to help identify direct lineage of many citrus species. It suggests the finger lime might actually be a hybrid of a true Microcitrus (such as Microcitrus australis) or a common ancestor, and an ancestor of the Kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix). Stay tuned for more posts on this intriguing subject in the future…
