Eden

Penang Botanic Gardens Plant Collection

Averrhoa carambola L. (OXALIDACEAE)

Posted at — Nov 13, 2019
Star Fruit, Belimbing Manis, Carambola

Description

Small evergreen tree 3-5 m tall. Leaves pinnately compound with terminal leaflets, 15-25 cm long, leaflets 3-4 on each side of rachis. Flowers 2-5 cm long, light purple, clustered in axils of old leaves on branches. Fruits 5-8 cm long, ellipsoid with a characteristic shape in cross-section resembling a 5-pointed star, yellowish green when ripe.


Distribution

Widely cultivated in tropical areas. Unknown in the wild, likely native in Java and Moluccas.

Uses

Fruits are edible, both sweet and sour varieties are available.