Black Twig Lime

Black Twig Lime Tree For Sale

Currently available in one gallon size

Trees are grafted with mature, certified buds so they will fruit faster.

Black Twig Lime Tree

The Black Twig Lime is a rare and unusual citrus variety native to the Philippines that immediately stands out with its dark-colored branches and exceptionally long thorns. Also known as Winged Lime, Talamisan, or Megacarpa Papeda, this heirloom citrus is prized by collectors for both its ornamental beauty and its unique fruit quality. The nearly black twigs create a striking contrast against the tree's bright green foliage, making it one of the most visually distinctive citrus varieties available.

Unlike traditional limes that are known for their sharp acidity, the Black Twig Lime produces fruit with a surprisingly mild, sweet flavor. Many growers describe the taste as resembling lime candy or sweetened limeade, with only a hint of tartness. The fruit peels easily, contains few if any seeds, and is produced in heavy clusters that can weigh down the branches during the growing season. Its combination of unusual appearance, excellent productivity, and sweet lime flavor has made it a favorite among citrus enthusiasts and rare fruit collectors.

Quick Facts

• Common Names: Black Twig Lime, Winged Lime, Talamisan, Megacarpa Papeda
• Botanical Name: Citrus longispina
• Origin: Philippines
• Fruit Size: Approximately 3 inches (8 cm) in diameter
• Fruit Color: Green to yellow-green when mature
• Flavor Profile: Sweet lime flavor with very low acidity; often compared to lime candy or sweet limeade
• Growth Habit: Bushy, vigorous tree with naturally drooping branches
• Mature Size: Approximately 8–15 feet tall
• Cold Tolerance: Best suited for USDA Zones 10–12; protect from frost
• Best Uses: Fresh eating, limeade, salads, seafood dishes, collector plantings
• Special Traits:
  • Distinctive dark-colored branches and twigs
  • Exceptionally long thorns
  • Heavy fruit producer
  • Easy-to-peel fruit
  • Few to no seeds
  • Rare heirloom citrus variety

Why Grow Black Twig Lime?

• Produces sweet, low-acid fruit unlike most traditional limes
• One of the most visually unique citrus trees available
• Heavy fruit production on a vigorous tree
• Excellent conversation piece for citrus collectors
• Suitable for containers in colder climates
• Rare variety that is difficult to find in cultivation

Growing Information

• Sun Requirements: Full sun (6–8+ hours daily)
• Watering: Water regularly while allowing soil to drain well
• Soil: Well-draining soil rich in organic matter
• Fertilizing: Feed with a quality citrus fertilizer during the growing season
• Container Friendly: Yes, especially in areas with winter freezes
• Pruning Notes: Exercise caution when pruning or harvesting due to the tree's long, sharp thorns

Botanical Classification

• Genus: Citrus
• Species: Citrus longispina
• Family: Rutaceae
• Subfamily: Aurantioideae
• Tribe: Aurantieae
• Subtribe: Citrinae

A Rare Citrus Collector's Tree

For citrus growers looking for something truly different, the Black Twig Lime offers a combination of ornamental beauty, unusual genetics, and sweet, easy-to-enjoy fruit. Its dark branches, impressive thorns, and candy-like lime flavor make it one of the most distinctive citrus varieties that can be grown in a home orchard or container collection.

Please keep in mind that we are unable to ship any citrus to AZ, CA, HI, FL, LA, TX.  These restrictions are due to USDA Agricultural laws. We do ship growing supplies such as potting mix, fertilizer and non citrus material items to AZ, FL, LA, and TX.

• We ship via UPS Ground
• We ship Mondays & Tuesday mornings.
• If your order is placed after 9am on Tuesday it will likely ship the next week.
• Trees may need to be topped or pruned to fit in the box.
• Tracking number will be emailed to you when your order ships, please check your spam folder if you don't see an email.

These are a few questions we are often asked and their answers:

• Why dont you ship to FL or CA?
  We aren't able to due to USDA restrictions, we wish we could but we can't.
• When will my tree fruit?
  We graft with certified mature buds so our trees are capable of flowering and producing fruit in the first season, but will definitely flower and produce fruit in the second season. We recommend removing fruit for the first couple years to allow the tree to focus on branching and growing roots.
• What does this variety taste like?
  In most cases the original Budwood program we purchased Certified buds from does not offer much in the way of descriptions or taste information. We then grow those buds out and continuously harvest new buds and then sell young trees so we simply don't always end up with fruit to try so unless its listed, we don't know what they taste like.
• Do you have anymore of these available?
  We try hard to add inventory when it grows large enough, if a product shows as 0 available please click the notify button to be emailed as soon as we add inventory to the site.
• What rootstock is this grafted onto?
  We use a handful of rootstock varieties for different reasons when we are grafted. If the variety says "Dwarf" then that variety is grafted to Flying Dragon. If it is not listed as Dwarf then we either used a standard rootstock or semi dwarfing rootstock. When fully mature the difference between Dwarf and Standard is only about 80% difference, it just takes dwarf longer to grow that large. You can maintain tree size through pot size and effective pruning.