Lemon Leaf Identification

Lemon trees grow outdoors only in subtropical climates, since the fruit gets damaged at temperature below 29 degrees Fahrenheit. Learning to identify wild lemon trees gives you a source of free lemons for lemonade, lemon curd or lemon preserves. While it's easy to recognize a lemon tree when it has ripening fruit, learning to recognize lemon leaves can help, too.

Shape

Early morning dew on a lemon tree image by Undy from Fotolia.com

Lemon leaves are elongated and ovoid in shape. They range in size from 2.5-to- 4.5 inches long. Many lemon leaves have a petiole, or a small connector tissue that joins the leaf to the stem. The edges of the leaves are finely toothed.

Arrangement

Leaves are arranged alternately along the stem. This means they have a staggered appearance and are not opposite each other in pairs.

Color

Lemon tree leaves change color as they develop. The leaves are reddish when young. Mature leaves are pale green on the underside and darker green on top. All leaves have dark green veins running down the center and out to the sides.

Flowers

Lemon flowers have a sweet fragrance. Before they open they appear purple-tinged, but mature flowers are creamy yellow on the outside and white inside. They commonly have four or five petals.

Size

Standard lemon trees average 10-to-20 feet tall, with dwarf or container lemon trees growing up to 5-to-6 feet tall. If you see leaves of this color, shape and texture on a tree that's larger than 20 feet tall, it isn't a lemon tree.