Citrus hystrix
Kaffir lime
Citrus hystrix, commonly known as kaffir lime, is a fragrant tropical shrub prized in Southeast Asian cuisine and traditional medicine. Renowned for its bumpy, aromatic leaves and distinctive fruit, it offers potent antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a versatile staple in both culinary and therapeutic practices.
- Scientific name: Citrus hystrix
- Family: Rutaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Sapindales, it falls into the family Rutaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Citrus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Rutaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Citrus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Citrus hystrix, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In Javanese, it is called jeruk purut, while in Polish, it is referred to as papeda. The Udmurt name for this species is Кафир-лайм, and in French, it is known as combava. In Spanish, it is formally identified as Citrus × hystrix.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| jv | Jeruk purut | Wikidata |
| pl | papeda | Wikidata |
| udm | Кафир-лайм | Wikidata |
| fr | Combava | Wikidata |
| es | Citrus × hystrix | Wikidata |
| lbe | Кафир-лайм | Wikidata |
| ace | Kruët | Wikidata |
| ms | Limau purut | Wikidata |
| de | Kaffernlimette | Wikidata |
| id | Jeruk purut | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across several specific regions in Asia. In China, its presence is noted in both the South-Central and Southeast territories. Moving towards the Indian Subcontinent, the species can be found growing in the Assam region. It also inhabits the country of Bangladesh within the same subcontinent. Finally, its range extends to the East Himalaya area of the Indian Subcontinent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Nicobar Is. | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as kaffir lime, utilizes various components for its medicinal and culinary purposes. The fragrant leaves are highly valued for their essential oils, which possess antimicrobial properties, while the thick, bumpy peel is often used to extract potent aromatic compounds. The fruits themselves are distinctive, containing a juicy pulp that can be used for its acidic and vitamin-rich qualities. Additionally, even the stems can be part of the plant's structural profile in traditional applications, making the entire organism a versatile resource in herbal medicine.- Total parts
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 10
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| peel | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pulp | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit peels | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit peel | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Citrus hystrix has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include citronellal, 3,7-dimethyloct-6-enal, Citronellal, PGE2, citral.
- Total chemicals
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 17
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| citronellal | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 3,7-dimethyloct-6-enal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Citronellal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| PGE2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| citral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| collagenase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| elastase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eucalyptol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eugenol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| linalool | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Citrus hystrix has 13 reported activities identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiacetylcholinesterase, Antidepressant, Antidiabetic.
- Total activities
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 17
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antiacetylcholinesterase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifeedant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anxiolytic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cardioprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Citrus hystrix has 18 reported medicinal uses identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Acinetobacter baumannii, Acne vulgaris, Dental Plaque, Escherichia coli, Gingivitis.
- Total uses
- 18
- Scientific sources
- 18
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Acinetobacter baumannii | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acne vulgaris | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Dental Plaque | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gingivitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acetylcholinesterase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acne | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |