Spanish Lime, Quenepa (Melicoccus bijugatus)

Sweet-Tangy Fruit with Jelly-Like Flesh

Spanish Lime (Melicoccus bijugatus) is a tropical fruit tree native to the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America. It produces small, round green fruits with orange to yellowish flesh that has a sweet, tangy flavor and jelly-like texture similar to lychee or longan. The glossy green foliage and rounded canopy also make it a beautiful tropical landscape tree.

Cultural & Culinary Significance

Also known as Quenepa, Mamoncillo, Genip, and Kenep, Spanish Lime is widely loved throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, where the fruit is commonly enjoyed fresh as a snack or street food. The pulp can also be used in juices, jams, desserts, and fermented beverages. In traditional medicine, the bark and leaves have been used for digestive issues, blood pressure, and respiratory ailments.

Why Grow Spanish Lime?

• Produces sweet-tangy fruit with juicy, jelly-like flesh
• Beautiful glossy foliage creates a lush tropical canopy
• Delicious fresh or used in drinks, jams, desserts, and more
• Beloved fruit throughout the Caribbean and Latin America
• Makes a striking addition to tropical food forests and landscapes

Growing Tips

(Also known as: Spanish Lime, Quenepa, Mamoncillo, Genip, Limoncillo, Kenep, Chenet, Melicoccus bijugatus*)*

Spanish Lime grows best in full sun and well-draining soil with consistent moisture while young. Give it plenty of room to develop its large canopy and protect young trees from frost. Trees can reach up to 80 feet in ideal conditions, but pruning can keep them closer to 30–50 feet in home gardens.