# Lemon Tree (*Xanthocryptus novozealandicus*)

The Lemon Tree is a bright and cheery tree that produces yellow lemons. These lemons are sour and can be used in many yummy recipes!

- **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Sunny gardens and orchards
- **Also known as:** Citrus limon

![Lemon Tree](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425991/objects/4825.jpg)

## Appearance

The Lemon Tree has glossy, dark green oval leaves and fragrant white flowers with purple undersides. Its bright yellow, oval-shaped fruit stands out vibrantly against the foliage, making it easily recognizable. The bark is typically smooth and gray-brown.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida

## Interesting facts

- It takes about one year for a lemon blossom to ripen into a full lemon.
- Lemon trees can produce flowers and ripe fruit at the same time!
- Lemons can float in water, but limes often sink because they are much denser!
- The world's heaviest lemon weighed over 11 pounds!

## Special abilities

- **Thorny Shield:** Lemon Tree has sharp thorns that help it defend its valuable fruit and leaves from hungry animals trying to eat them.
- **Sweet Scent Signal:** Lemon Tree can produce highly fragrant white flowers, helping it attract bees and other insects for pollination.
- **Acidic Armor:** Lemon Tree has sour, acidic fruit, which helps deter many pests and animals from eating its seeds.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 3-6 m
- **Spread:** 2-4 m
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Size:** 10-30 cm
- **Lifespan:** 50-100 years
- **Fruit Type:** Hesperidium
- **Growth Rate:** Medium
- **Leaf Type:** Evergreen

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Gathers nectar and pollen from fragrant flowers.
- **Eaten by:** Citrus Swallowtail (*Papilio demoleus*) — Larvae feed on leaves, a common citrus pest.
- **Eaten by:** Citrus Leafminer (*Phyllocnistis citrella*) — Larvae tunnel into leaves, causing damage.

## Traits

- [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
- [Fruit Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-tree): A fruit tree is a perennial tree that produces fruit, which is edible to humans or animals.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

## Collections

- [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Lemon Tree?

Compare leaves or needles, how they attach to the twig, buds, bark and the shape of the crown. Lobed leaves are useful clues, but several unrelated trees share a similar outline. Tree Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Lemon Tree?

3-6 m

### How wide does Lemon Tree spread?

2-4 m

### Is Lemon Tree edible?

Yes

### How big is Lemon Tree?

10-30 cm

### How long does Lemon Tree live?

50-100 years

### Where is Lemon Tree usually found?

Sunny gardens and orchards

### What kind of fruit does Lemon Tree produce?

Hesperidium

## Where to spot

- [Schloss- und Burggarten (Schwerin)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/schwerin-palace-gardens) — Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, DE · Park
- [Klostergarten Seligenstadt](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/klostergarten-seligenstadt) — Hessen, DE · Park
- [Matsuyama Shiroyama Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/matsuyama-shiroyama-park) — Shikoku, JP · Park

[View all places to see Lemon Tree](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/lemon-tree)

## More Trees

- [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*)
- [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*)
- [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*)
- [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*)

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Source: [Lemon Tree: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lemon-tree)