Micromelum integerrimum is a Evergreen, Aromatic, Medicinal, Ornamental plant. It’s a Seed, Fruit and Flowering plant. Native in China, Russia, South Korea, Bangladesh, India etc. The English name for Micromelum integerrimum is limeberry or Entire-Leaf Lime Berry.

Unveiling the Enchanting Micromelum integerrimum: Complete Botanical Insights.

Plant Characteristics and Taste.

Micromelum integerrimum commonly known as Leaf Limeberry (Southeast Asia), Limoncillo (Philippines),Orangeberry (Philippines), Chinese box orange (China), Glutinous lime (Philippines), Citrus berry (Asia), Swinglea (Various countries in Southeast Asia), Tropical lime (Asia), Fragrant lime ( Asia), Chinese lime (China), Australian leaf lime berry (Australia), Philippine lime (Philippines), Burmese lime (Myanmar).

Discussion about the flowers of Micromelum integerrimum plant:

Micromelum integerrimum plant is 1 year old or the size of the plant is 40 inches and starts to flower or bear fruit. A 4-year-old plant has 2 to 3 thousand flowers. Flowers bloom from late February to March. Spring season. It takes 10 to 12 days to form the flower bud of the plant. Then the flower blooms from the bud. These flowers remain fresh and pollinable for up to 7 days. After pollination, the ovule, style, and stigma of the flower remains fresh and the rest dries in the sun and falls to the ground. Out of 100 flowers, 12 to 15 flowers are pollinated. However, if there is heavy rain, less pollination occurs. Normal sunshine and normal temperature are the ideal time for pollination.

The flowers of Micromelum integerrimum are fragrant, bloom in clusters, types of Inflorescence: Compound Umbel, Multiple flower, Double fertilization. A disease free flower weighs 2 grams. This flower is very fond of flies or beetles. The leaves of Micromelum integerrimum taste bitter and slightly salty. However these leaves are not poisonous.

Flower peduncle is dense green, 30 to 50 grams, 2.5 cm wide and 6 to 8 inches long. The Sepals of the flower are dense green, 0.5 g, 0.3 cm wide and 0.4 cm long. Ovule white, slippery, 1 gram and located in the center of the flower. 6 Filaments located in the flower are thick white, 2 cm long and 0.5 cm wide, slippery and soft. The inner part of the flower petal is white, the outer part is thick green and its 5, soft, 1.5 cm wide and 2 cm long. Lower Anther round, like white cotton, 0.1 gram. The style is elongated, soft, sticky and white in color.

Discussion about the fruits of Micromelum integerrimum plant:

The fruit of the Micromelum integerrimum is ellipsoid to obovoid. It is dark green when raw and dark orange when ripe. 1-1.5 x 0.6-1.2 cm. However a mature fruit contains 1 or 2 seeds. Seed coat membranous. Ripe fruits are eaten by birds. People eat this fruit in almost all countries except Asia. A 2-year-old Micromelum integerrimum plant produces 110 fruits and a 5-year-old plant produces around 400 fruits at normal temperatures. However, excessive cold or rain can reduce the fruit production rate. The fruit starts ripening from 10th April and matures in June. A fruit weighs 1 to 2.3 grams. The aroma of the fruit is somewhat like orange fruit. Fruits are produced in clusters and at the tips of branches.

The fruit of Micromelum integerrimum tastes mildly sweet, and juicy. However, the raw fruit is bitter and smelly. But this fruit is not poisonous.

Epicarp (outer skin) is thick green and orange when ripe. The mesocarp is white in color and a sticky substance is present. Endocarp is hard and white in color. Embryo is white in color which has soft skin. Endosperm is white in color and seed coat is hard and light black in color. 

Description of the leaves of Micromelum integerrimum plant:

A disease-free mature Micromelum integerrimum plant has dark green leaves 8 inches long and 4.5 inches wide. Leaf veins: Netlike, Shapes: spear shaped, Arrangement: Simple, Edges: smooth, Arrangement on the Steam: Alternative.

The leaf size of Micromelum integerrimum plant is much bigger than its flower. Leaf petiole is 2 grams in weight and green in color. lamina is densely green and associated with plastids. The leaves have 20 to 22 veins of green color. The size of the leaf margin is 32 to 32.5 inches. Midrib is 8 inches long. Leaf tip smooth and dense green. Because the leaves of Micromelum integerrimum plant are large, small birds make nests by compressing the leaves. For example: Tailorbird.

A 2-year-old Micromelum integerrimum plant has 50 to 55 leaves, a 5-year-old plant has 200 leaves. The lifespan of a leaf is 60 days. When the leaves are 10 days old, the leaves are mature and ready to produce food. When the leaves turn 60 days, they turn Yellow.

Discussion about the roots of Micromelum integerrimum plant.

Roots of Micromelum integerrimum plant are light green in color. Roots of 2-year-old plants cover 3 square meters of soil. The 5-year-old plant covers 10 square meters. The roots are hard and strong. Roots contain 30 percent water and 70 percent other mineral salts. From 1800 to 1945 the roots of this plant were used to make various home remedies. For example: curing dysentery or skin diseases.

The scientific classification and biological name of Micromelum integerrimum.

Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Sapindales
Family:	Rutaceae
Genus:	Micromelum
Species:	Micromelum integerrimum
Popularity:	24%

So, the biological name of Micromelum integerrimum is just its species name, which is Micromelum integerrimum.

Interesting Facts about the plant.

1. This plant can grow in swampy or wetland environments.

2. Micromelum integerrimum use as an ornamental plant. It has cultural and medicinal significance in various regions where it grows. Hindu people use its flower for Prayer.

3. In South Asia, This plant is used in traditional medicine for treating various ailments, including digestive issues and skin conditions. 

4. Its fruits are sometimes consumed locally, either raw or cooked, and are known for their tangy flavor.

5. Due to the large size of the leaves of this plant, it can be used as a canopy for the house.

6. In the months of May and June, birds have relatively less food in nature, and birds make a living by eating the fruits of the plant.

7. Dried flowers can be stored for a long time.

8. This flower has a fragrance, so many people offer love to their loved ones with this flower.

Distribution, Life cycle and Habitat of the Plant.

Pant Distribution:

Now Micromelum integerrimum is available in many countries of the world. But there is a large amount in Southeast Asia, like India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. However, it is cultivated commercially in Bangladesh, America and China to make medicine for diarrhea or indigestion.

Plant life cycle:

Micromelum integerrimum plants can live up to 60+ years. Micromelum integerrimum over 100 years old can be found in India and Amazon jungle. However, after the age of 60 years, this plant does not grow much, but the root or roots become thicker.

Plant Habitat:

Micromelum integerrimum plant can grow in loamy or sandy soil at a temperature of 28 to 37 degrees. But the suitable soil, humidity and temperature is loam soil, 28 percent, and 32 degrees temperature. But this plant can not tolerate excessive watering.

Market Demand, Global price, Economic Importance.

Market Demand:

Micromelum integerrimum plant has 5 main uses.

1. Preparation of medicine.

2. To enhance the beauty of the garden.

3. Essential Oil Production.

4. Medicinal Properties.

5. Culinary Use.

So its demand is much less than other plants. However, the leaves, flowers and seeds of this plant are exported to different countries for the medicinal industry. The most importing countries are Russia, Japan, China and Canada.

Global price:

Small seedlings of Micromelum integerrimum are sold for 135 to 150 dollars in America, Canada, Japan. The price of flowers is 50 to 60 dollars per kg and the price of leaves is 100 to 120 dollars per kg. Basically, these flowers, fruits, seeds or leaves are used in the preparation of various medicines. This plant can be legalized and planted or cultivated in all countries of the world.

Economic Importance:

Micromelum integerrimum plant is of immense economic importance as it is used in various food recipes, medicine and research.

Plant Benefits and Uses: Good side.

Since 1965, Micromelum integerrimum has been widely used in the preparation of medicine. The flowers, fruits or leaves of this plant are used to prepare different types of cooking recipes, to make different types of perfumes. The wood of the plant is strong enough, so it is used to make the handles of various tools. The flowers of this plant are fragrant, so fragrance-lovers love to plant them in their gardens.

Chemical Constituents and Toxicity.

Chemical Constituents and Toxicity:

1. Citrus Essential Oils: (Limonene, Citral, and Linalool).
2. Flavonoids.
3. Alkaloids:

The flowers of the Micromelum integerrimum plant contain citrus essential oils, and when the flowers bloom, they are fragrant and attract bees.

Fruits, leaves and seeds contain flavonoids, which gives off a slight odor, but helps to heal pain in the animal’s body.

These Alkaloids are a diverse group of natural compounds found in plants, fungi, and some animals, and have been studied for their potential medicinal properties. However, these alkaloids are not dangerous for animal or human life.

Etymology and Common names.

Etymology: The name “Micromelum integerrimum” combines Greek and Latin roots. “Micromelum” likely denotes its small size, derived from Greek “micros” for small and “melos” for limb. “Integerrimum” originates from Latin, suggesting its leaves are smooth-edged or undivided. 

Nickname:

1. Leaf Limeberry.
2. Limoncillo.
3. LimeOrangeberry.

4. Chinese box orange.
5. Glutinous lime.
6.  Citrus berry.
7.  Swinglea.
8. Entire-Leaf Lime Berry. 

Threats and Conservation.

Not everyone can tolerate the smell of the raw fruit of the Micromelum integerrimum plant, so many people cut this plant from their garden. The tree grows very slowly for wood unsuitable. As the immunity of the plant is high, the disease or virus attack on the plant is less.

Cultivation and Care of the plant.

Micromelum integerrimum plant is cultivated only in tubs. However, this plant is cultivated commercially in a few countries.

Cultivation of Micromelum integerrimum in tubs:

The 1-0.5-10 kg ratio of compost, water and loam soil should be taken in the tub. 2 seeds should be sown in a tub. If one does not sprout, another will sprout.

Choose a place that gets 7 hours of sunlight a day. Place a seedling in a tub.

Water should be given every 8 days after planting the seedlings in tubs. Biofertilizer or compost should be given after 1 month. The seedling should be tied to a stake. If the temperature is normal and the weather is right, the disease or virus will not affect the plant.

Seed store process.

The seeds of Micromelum integerrimum plant can be stored for 2 to 3 years. Glass or clay pots are good for storing seeds. It will keep the temperature inside the container suitable. Clean the pot and dry it in the sun for 60 minutes. The seeds should be dried in the sun for 6 hours and filled in the container, the mouth of the container should be tied well. The date of the first day of seed storage should be written on the container. After 2 months, take out the seeds and dry them in the sun and put them back in the container. By adopting this method these seeds can be stored up to 3 years.

Let’s see a video of this plant: