Carambola
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| Averrhoa carambola | ||||||||||||||
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 Carmabolas | ||||||||||||||
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The carambola is a species of tree native to Sri Lanka and popular throughout Southeast Asia. It is also grown in Brazil, Kumasi, Ghana, Guyana, Africa. It is closely related to the bilimbi.
Tree description
The carambola tree has long compound leaves (upto 50 cm long), pink flowers that appear either at leaf axiles or branch extremities. The tree has much ramifications and can reach a height of 5 m. Unlike most tropical trees, the carambola does not need much sunlight.
Fruit description
Its fruit, the carambola or starfruit, is a golden-yellow to green berry. When cut across it shows a 5-pointed ( sometimes 6-pointed) star shape, hence its name. Taste is crunchy, acidulate and tangy, typical of citrus fruit and reminiscent of pineapple. Its seeds are small and brown.
There are two varieties of starfruits: the acidulate one and the sweet one.
External links
- Scintro fruit book (http://www.scintro.com) - All about fruits.de:Sternfrucht
fr:Carambole ms:Belimbing besi nl:Stervrucht ja:スターフルーツ pt:Carambola sv:Carambola