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Triphasia trifolia (Burm.f.) P.Wilson
| Family Name: | Rutaceae |
| Synonyms: | Limonia trifolia, Limonia diacantha, Limonia retusa, Limonia trifoliata, Triphasia aurantiola, Triphasia diacantha, Triphasia javanica, Triphasia trifoliata |
| Common Name: | Limeberry, Limau Keah, Limau Kiah, Limau Kikir, Kelingket |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Shrubby (1m-5m)), Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Bangladesh to Vietnam, Malaya to Christmas Islands |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Typically a shrub up to 3 m tall, but sometimes forms a small tree. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Compound leaves are composed of 3 elliptic leaflets with the terminal leaflet twice as large as the lateral leaflets (terminal leaflet: 2-4 cm long, lateral leaflets: 1.2-2 cm long, 0.8-1.2 cm wide). A pair of spines is located at the base of the leaf petiole. |
| Flowers | Fragrant, white flowers are composed of 3 oblanceolate petals which are reflexed at the tip. They are produced throughout the year in small clusters of 2-3 in the leaf axils (area between the upper surface of the leaf and adjacent stem). |
| Fruit | Reddish orange to bright red, fleshy fruits are round to ellipsoid (1-1.5 cm long). The fruit peel contains many oil glands that smell like lemon. Each fruit contains 1-3 seeds embedded within a mucilaginous pulp. Fruits are produced continuously throughout the year. |
| Habitat | This species is found growing in the wild, growing in thickets at low altitudes, and often cultivated as hedges. This species has colonized forests in introduced areas and spread through bird droppings. |
| Cultivation | This species grows both in open sunny and semi-shade areas. It cannot tolerate waterlogged soils and grows best in sandy loam soil (pH 5-6). |
| Etymology | The genus epithet Triphasia means triple, which likely refers to the 3 petals. The specific epithet trifolia means having 3 leaflets. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Medicinal: The fruit of the plant are used by Talaandig tribe in Philippines to treat coughs and sore throats and the leaves are used to treat colic, diarrhea and skin diseases. <1> <2> <3> |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | The plant produces attractive white, 3-petalled flowers and bright red fruit with lemon-like scent. Plant is suitable for growing as hedges. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Fruits, Fragrant (Flowers) |
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens, Hedge / Screening, Topiary, Container Planting, Suitable for Bonsai |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Stem/Branch |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Compound (Trifoliate) |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Rounded |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate, Rounded / Obtuse |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
References
| References | <1> Jansen, P.C.M., Jukema, J., Oyen, L.P.A. & van Lingen, T.G. (1991). Triphasia trifolia (Burm.f.) P. Wilson. Verheij, E.W.M. and Coronel, R.E. (Editors): Plant Resources of South-East Asia No. 2: Edible fruits and nuts. PROSEA Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia. Accessed on 25 Aug 2025 from prota4u.org/prosea <2> Naive, M.A.K., Binag, S.D.A. & Alejandro, G.J.D. (2021). Plants with benefits: Ethnomedicinal plants used by the Talaandig tribe in Portulin, Pangantucan, Bukidnon, Philippines. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. Vol 20(3):754-766. Accessed on 25 Aug 2025 from http://op.niscpr.res.in/index.php/IJTK/article/download/26584/465479539 <3> Nurfitriyana, N., Yanuarti, R., & Ekadipta, E. (2022). Edukasi Pemanfaatan Tanaman Obat Keluarga: Jeruk Kingkit (Triphasia trifolia) sebagai Alternatif Obat Batuk. Accessed on 25 Aug 2025 from https://journals.uima.ac.id/index.php/JLS1/article/view/2078
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Others
| Master ID | 1901 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3194 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |