Accession Count: 7
Common Name:
Meyer lemon
Family Name:
Rutaceae
Botanical Name:
Citrus x meyeri
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
'Meyer'
Characteristics:
The Meyer lemon tree is an evergreen shrub-like tree that can grow to heights of 6-10 feet tall, and 4-8 feet wide (1,3,4,7). The trunk is a tan to light-brown color with darker brown striping, and the young stems are bright green (3). The young stems and leaves contain volatile oils and are highly aromatic when broken or bruised (4). The leaves are elliptical in shape, with either a crenate or entire leaf margin, and measure 3-6” long (3). The leaves have an alternate positioning on the stem (3). The leaves are a deep green color with a shiny glabrous surface (1,2,3). Waxy and sweetly fragrant flowers are borne from a corymb inflorescence in clusters of 5, with each flower measuring approximately 1” in length (1,2,3,5). The flowers each have 4-5 petals and are a brilliant white with purple blushing when in bud, sometimes persisting on the underside of the petals when opened (1,2,3,5,7). This plant produces large, oval-round fruit measuring 3” in diameter (1,5,7). The Meyer lemon fruit has a smooth, thin skin lacking the roughness and prominent apex nipple that is characteristic of the true lemon (1,7). The fruit is green when unripe, transitioning to a golden yellow color when mature (1,3,5). The fruit type is classified as a hesperidium, possessing a leathery rind, rich in highly aromatic oils, and a fleshy endocarp that is divided into segments (3,6). Each segment of the divided endocarp is composed of densely packed “juice sacks” called vesicles, and numerous seeds (6,7).
Compound:
Cit x mey
Geographic Origin:
China
Ecozone Origin:
Palearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
Citrus x meyeri is believed to be a hybrid of Citrus limon and Citrus reticulata, due to its sweeter, less acidic, and more attractive shape/texture, it is more palatable compared to the true lemon (1,2,3). This plant is native to China and was discovered in 1908 by Frank Meyer a renowned botanist and explorer who specialized in acquiring species from Asia for the United States Department of Agriculture (1,2,3,7). The specific epithet “meyeri” is derived from his last name “Meyer”, honoring his discovery of the plant (1). Meyer lemon trees were asymptomatic carriers of the Citrus tristeza virus that decimated other citrus trees and severely threatened California’s citrus industry (1,2,7). This led to the near-complete eradication of Meyer lemon trees (7). Today all current Meyer lemons are propagated from a virus-free individual discovered by Don Dillon of Westwind Nurseries in Fremont California (7). This resistant plant was named Citrus x meyeri ‘Improved’ or simply the “Improved Meyer Lemon” and was certified by the University of California and introduced into the market in the 1970’s (1,2).
Cultivation Notes:
Citrus x meyeri has a moderate growth rate and can thrive in both full-sun and part shade, although it prefers full sun for optimized fruit yield and sweetness (1,3,5). It will suffer in oppressive shade (1,3,5). The Meyer lemon is the most winter-hardy of all lemon varietals (1,2,7). This plant is recommended to be placed in USDA zones 9-11, with the capability of surviving in zone 8b (1,3,4). This plant cannot survive a hard frost and should be brought indoors in zones 8a and below (1,2,3). This plant prefers moderately moist soil, taking care not to overwater or underwater (1,2,3,4,5). Citrus x meyeri is tolerant of varying soil substrates, adapting to both sandy and clay soils, as well as being tolerant of a wide range of soil pH (1,2,3,4,5). However, this plant prefers well-draining soils, thriving in loamy sand substrates with a neutral pH (1,2,3,4,5). This plant bears fruit year-round in warm climates, plants needing to be overwintered indoors will fruit in the spring (1). This plant is self-pollinating and will not need a companion plant to bear fruit (2,4). The Meyer lemon can be propagated by seed, although it is highly susceptible to damping-off, cutting and grafting are the recommended mode of propagation for this plant (4).This plant will do well in a pot, although juvenile plants dislike root disturbance so great care should be taken when repotting (4,5). This plant will set fruit abundantly, and it is recommended to prune branches to increase air circulation as well as reduce clusters to one or two fruits for larger, higher quality fruits (3).
Ethnobotany:
The Meyer lemon is one of the most commonly home-grown citrus trees, beloved for its culinary value and aesthetic appeal (7). Often dubbed “the cooking lemon”, the Meyer lemon’s unique tart and sweet flavor makes it great for salad dressings, glazes, desserts, cocktails, and baked goods (4,7). The flowers are edible and are used in ice creams/jams and possess a pleasant lemon flavor (4). Despite a slightly different flavor profile, many people prefer this sweeter, less acidic lemon as an alternative to the classic sour lemon (1,2,3). Due to its tender flesh and thin skin, the Meyer lemon is not widely marketable without significant losses in transit, making it more commonly obtained by residential cultivation of a tree (4,7). This plant is relatively easy to care for, thrives in pots, and brings color and interest to a patio or landscape (2). Like other citrus species, the Meyer lemon fruit is rich in vitamin C, bioflavonoids, acids, and other antioxidants that have extensive benefits to our health (4). The juice, flowers, and the aromatic oils from the rind/leaves have a wide range of use in anti-bacterial cleaning agents, cosmetics, perfumes, and essential oils (4). This plant is a larval host of the swallow tail butterfly (3).
Height:
6 - 10 feet
Width:
6 - 10 feet
Growth Rate:
Moderate Growing
Grow Season:
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
White
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Tender
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
