
Lemons are the fruits of the tree Citrus limon L. Burm. which is extensively cultivated in Sicily, Italy and California and to a limited extent in Florida, Spain, Brazil and Argentina although the tree will grow in many other areas having a typical Mediterranean type of climate.
The ovoid fruits are from 2.5 to 4 inch in length, the yellow rind enclosing 8 to 10 fleshy segments, the cells of which contain a very acidic juice.
The essential oil is recovered from the peel by cold expression or by distillation, depending upon the region of production.
Lemon