Need moist soil, but never freestanding water. The leading acid citrus fruit, because of its very appealing color, odor and flavor. The true lemon tree reaches 10 to 20 feet in height and usually has sharp throrns on the twigs. Leaves are reddish when young, and become dark green above, light green below. Mildly fragrant flowers may be solitary, or there may be two or more.
Buds are reddish.
Opened flowers have 4 or 5 petals, white on upper surface, purplish beneath. It is aromatic, dotted with oil glands. Pulp is pale yellow, in 8 to 10 segments, juicy, acid. Yields vary considerably with the cultivar, the location and weather conditions. The true home of the lemon tree is unknown.