Star Fruit, Carambola, Averrhoa carambola

Page 1 of 3

Last Update 07/06/08

Plant of the Month

Averrhoa carambola Carambola or Star Fruit
The Carambola or Star Fruit is an unique and flavorful fruit. The fruit's flavor ranges from very sour to mildly sweetish and tastes something like a mix of apple, pineapple, and kiwi fruit. Slices cut in cross-section have the form of a star. The carambola tree is medium fast growing, has a short-trunk, is multi-branched, bushy, broad, with a rounded crown and reaches 20 to 30' in height and about the same in width. Pruning will keep the tree from getting too large while still allowing it to bear fruit prolifically. A good tropical fruit tree for limited space.

Garden Store The Patio The Exchange Gardening Games About FG

Gardening Tips Grow Veggies Soils and Climate Hardiness Zones Butterfly Gardening Build a Greenhouse Garden Critters

Native Plants Plant of the Month Florida Palms Poisonous Plants

Privacy Statement What You Think of FG

Member of :

Carambola tree

Underside of Carambola Tree

Tropical Plants

1 rule of a flat stomach:

Cut down 9 lbs of stomach fat every 11 days by obeying this 1 huge rule

The Garden Writers Association

Need Tropical Plants Save on Flowers and Plants

http://www.floridagardener.com/pom/Carambola.htm

9/8/2008

Star Fruit, Carambola, Averrhoa carambola

Page 2 of 3

Cross-section of Star Fruit

Ripe Star Fruit

Plant Facts:
Common Name: Star Fruit, Carambola Botanical Name: Averrhoa carambola Family: Oxalidaceae Plant Type: Deciduous tree Origin: Ceylon and the Moluccas Zones: 8 (in sheltered areas) - 11 Height: to 30' Rate of Growth: Slow Salt Tolerance: Low Soil Requirements: Not too particular as to soil, but will grow faster and bear more heavily in rich loam. Needs good drainage; cannot stand flooding. Water Requirements: Medium drought tolerance Nutritional Requirements: Balanced liquid fertilizer monthly, side dressings of composted manure Light Requirements: Full sun Form: Short-trunk with a much-branched, bushy, broad, rounded crown Leaves: Deciduous leaves, spirally arranged, are alternate, imparipinnate, 6 to 10" long, with 5 to 11 nearly opposite leaflets, ovate or ovate-oblong, 1 1/2 to 3 1/2" long; soft, medium-green, and smooth on the upper surface, finely hairy and whitish on the underside. The leaflets are sensitive to light and more or less inclined to fold together at night or when the tree is shaken or abruptly shocked. Flowers: Small clusters of red-stalked, lilac, purple-streaked, downy flowers, about 1/4" wide, are borne on the twigs in the axils of the leaves. Fruits: Showy, oblong, longitudinally 5- to 6-angled fruits, 2 1/2 to 6" long and up to 3 1/2" wide, have thin, waxy, orange-yellow skin and juicy, crisp, yellow flesh when fully ripe. Slices cut in cross-section have the form of a star. Flavor ranges from very sour to mildly sweetish. May be up to 12 flat, thin, brown seeds 1/4 to 1/2" long, or none at all. Pests or diseases: Fruit flies, black beetles, stinkbugs, nematodes, anthracnose, leaf spot, and sooty mold.

http://www.floridagardener.com/pom/Carambola.htm

9/8/2008

Star Fruit, Carambola, Averrhoa carambola

Page 3 of 3

Uses: Accent tree, the fruits have been used as "conversation pieces". Bad Habits: Cost: $$ -- Very reasonable Propagation: Cuttings, air-layering, or seeds Sources: Morton, J. 1987. Carambola. p. 125128. In: Fruits of Warm Climates . Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL.; Carambola Growing in the Florida Home Landscape, document HS12, Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date April 1994. Revised May 2007, Jonathan H. Crane
1 tiny rule of flat belly Carambola

Cut down 9 lbs of stomach fat every 11 days Save Huge On Virgin Islands Hotels All by obeying this 1 rule. Meals, Drinks & Taxes Included

Home | Bookstore | Search | Feedback | Links | The Patio Plant of the Month | E-Postcards | Gardening Tips | Soils and Climates | Hardiness Zones Butterfly Gardening | Build A Greenhouse | Florida Palms | Poisonous Plants | Privacy Statement Pulling Weeds | Florida Gardens | Extension Offices | Water Conservation | Dr. Nehrling Copyright 1999-2008 FloridaGardener.com All Rights Reserved.

http://www.floridagardener.com/pom/Carambola.htm

9/8/2008