Merope angulata (Willd.) Swingle

Etymology	Genus	-
	Species	Angular, referring to the fruit
Family		Rutaceae
Synonyms		Citrus angulata Willd.
Common Names		Mangrove Lime
Status		Native: Critically Endangered
Form		Shrub
Native Distribution		India to Southeast Asia

Diagnostics

Often a shrubby, scrambling or low tree in the mangrove. It has simple, thick leaves with inconpicious crenate margins. The branches are usually have paired spines.

Interesting Facts

Merope angulata is a monotypic genus with only a single species in its group. It is usually restricted to back mangroves and riverbanks (Tomilson, 1986). Belonging to the same family as Citrus, it is not uncommon to find larvae of the Lime Butterfly on it.

References

Tomilson PB (1986) The Botany of Mangroves. Cambridge University Press. 412 pp.