Lemon, Lime & Citron Varieties in Australia

1. Lemon Varieties

Australia primarily cultivates a small selection of key lemon varieties:

• Eureka Lemon
  The most widely grown citrus variety in Australia. It is nearly thornless, produces year-round—especially in winter—and features juicy, thin-skinned fruit with few seeds. Originated from Sicily and first selected in California (but now dominant in Australian orchards).
• Lisbon Lemon
  Similar to Eureka but more cold-tolerant and thorny. It produces a large winter crop and serves as an important rootstock. Represented in about 29% of Australian lemon plantings.
• Meyer Lemon (Citrus × meyeri)
  A sweeter, less acidic hybrid (lemon × mandarin/orange) originating from China. It thrives in cooler zones and is popular for container gardening due to its floral aroma.
• Other Notable Varieties
  • Fino and Verna: newer cultivars introduced in the 1990s to complement existing varieties.
  • Villafranca, Yen Ben, Bush Lemon, and Xuewang: regional and niche cultivars with emerging commercial importance.

2. Lime Varieties

Australia’s landscape includes both native limes and introduced hybrids:

• Finger Lime (Citrus australasica)
  An indigenous “caviar lime” valued for its pearl-like juice vesicles. Cultivars include Red Champagne, Rainforest Pearl, and Chartreuse. It is grown commercially for gourmet markets.
• Australian Blood Lime, Australian Sunrise Lime, Australian Outback Lime
  Developed by CSIRO, these hybrids combine native species with standard citrus to improve flavor, appearance, and salt tolerance.
• Tahitian (Persian) Lime
  Widely grown for commercial use; known for its larger, seedless, mild-flavored fruit.
• Kaffir (Makrut) Lime (Citrus hystrix)
  Native to Southeast Asia and southern Australia; its aromatic leaves and rind are used in cooking.
• Key Lime, Desert Lime, Round Lime, Rangpur Lime
  Though less common, these are present in small-scale or specialist cultivation.

3. Citron Varieties

Citron is rare in commercial cultivation but available through specialist nurseries:

• Buddha’s Hand Citron (Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis)
  Grown as a novelty—used ornamentally and for zest. Celebrated for its fragrant, finger-like fruit. Garden-friendly variety in southeast Queensland and Tasmania.
• Etrog (Citrus medica ‘Etrog’) and Common Citron
  Occasionally available as heritage or ritual varieties from specialty nurseries.

Summary Overview

Cultural & Commercial Insights

• Lemons: Eureka and Lisbon dominate most parts of Australia, with Meyer favored in cooler regions and as potted ornamentals.
• Limes: Native species like finger lime see growing demand both domestically and in export markets. CSIRO hybrids are expanding flavor and resilience profiles.
• Citrons: Buddha’s Hand is a niche but popular ornamental; others remain largely specialty or ceremonial varieties.

References

The Tutuguru. (n.d.). Citrus ‘Buddha’s Hand’.

ABC Gardening Australia. (2021, July 1). Love Your Lemons.

Citrus Australia. (2002). Varieties – CITRUS AUSTRALIA (Fact Sheet).

Daleys Fruit. (n.d.). Lemon – Eureka, Fino, Lisbon, Meyer, Lemon Bush.

Daleys Fruit. (n.d.). Citron – Buddha’s Hand.

Engelhardt Citrus Nursery. (n.d.). Citrus Varieties – Engelhardt Citrus Nursery.

Garden Guides. (2022, November 3). Varieties Of Lemon Trees In Australia.

Plants Direct Tasmania. (n.d.). Buddha’s Hand Advanced.

Produce Art. (n.d.). Buddha Hand.

QP Seedlings. (2024). Recommended Citrus Varieties for Australian States Based on Growing Zones.

Simply Recipes. (2021). A Guide to Citrus Fruits.

Wikipedia. (2024, last update). Buddha’s hand.

Wikipedia. (2024, last update). Citrus australasica.

Wikipedia. (2024, last update). Citrus glauca.

Wikipedia. (2024, last update). Lemon.

The Diggers Club. (n.d.). Citron ‘Buddha’s Hand’.