Eden

Penang Botanic Gardens Plant Collection

Averrhoa bilimbi L. (OXALIDACEAE)

Posted at — Nov 13, 2019
Belimbing, Bilimbi, Cucumber Tree

Description

Small evergreen tree 5-10 m tall. Leaves pinnately compound with terminal leaflet, 30-60 cm long, leaflets 6-20 on each side of rachis. Flowers c. 1.5 cm across, purplish red, borne in a pendulous cluster on main trunk and branches. Fruits 4-10 cm long,

Distribution

Possibly native in Moluccas. Widely cultivated as a fruit tree, in some countries naturalised.

Uses

Fruits are edible, eaten raw although very sour, sometimes pickled. Often used as a flavouring to sour dishes.