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Carambola (Spanish) Family: Oxalidaceae Genus: Averrhoa Distribution It is native to tropical Asia, and has been grown throughout Southeast Asia, the south Pacific and East Asia for hundreds of years. Habitat It thrives in tropical and subtropical regions. Description It is an attractive, small, evergreen tree or shrub with a short trunk and broad-shaped crown. Trees can reach up to 12 m high. The wood is white, turning red with age. They have drooping branches. The alternately arranged leaves are pinnately compound with 5-11 soft green leaflets. The upper surface is smooth, while the underside is finely hairy and whitish. Adaptation The upper surface of the leaf is smooth, while the underside is finely hairy and whitish. Leaflets are reactive to light and fold together at night, when cold or shaken. They are cultivated commercially in India, Southeast Asia, southern China, Taiwan, and Florida. They are also grown in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, Guyana and parts of Africa In other areas they are usually grown as ornamentals, rather than for consumption. The best growing conditions are full sun, 178cm of rain annually and good drainage. Trees can grow at high altitudes, up to 1200 m. Flowers are lilac, purple-streaked and downy with red stalks. Each flower is 6 mm wide with recurved tips. The bisexual flowers are bell-shaped with five sepals and five petals. The ten stamens are alternately long and short in length. The common name refers to the fruit, which, in cross section, resembles a five point star. The fruit is oval-shaped, 6 15 cm long and up to 9 cm wide, showy with three to five ridges running down the side. The colour changes with age from green to yellow or orange when ripe. The flesh is smooth, juicy and crisp with a sour to sweet taste. Seeds are flat, thin and brown. Some cultivars produce fruit with no seeds. The tree grows rapidly and produces fruit at four or five years of age. A large amount of rain during the rainy season can reduce the amount of fruit, but, in ideal conditions, starfruit can produce from 91 to 180 kg of fruit a year. The tree flowers throughout the year, with main fruiting seasons from April to June depending on location. Fruit flavour can vary from very sour to very sweet depending on the cultivar. Animal Connections Humans and other animals consume the fruit. Flowers are cross pollinated primarily by honey bees and stingless bees. Economic Value It is of minor economic importance. However the fruit does have many medicinal health benefits. It is rich in vitamin C, low in sugar and sodium, and contains both antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Many different cultivars are grown. Most are selected to optimize fruit flavour and maximum fruit production for specific growing areas, with each country or region having their own specific selections. Interesting Facts Starfruit is one of 900 species in the Oxalis family. The starfruit or carambola is a woody plant, while most species in the Oxalis family are herbaceous. The genus Averrhoa contains two species, both of which are grown for their edible fruit. Status Threats Growers will often cover the fruit with paper or plastic bags to protect them from predators and pests. The entire fruit can be eaten, even the waxy skin. The fruit is best eaten when it is firm, yellow with a tinge of green, and the ridges are brown. Eaten fresh, it can be added to salads as a garnish and to drinks. Fruits can be pickled or preserved, made into jellies or jams. Fruit can be used as a stain remover on cloth and skin, and as brass polish. Averrhoa bilimbi, sometimes called cucumber tree, produces fruit that is different from starfruit in appearance and flavour (very sour), and is used in curries and jams. Major pests include fruit flies, ants and birds. Caterpillars will eat the flowers and leaves. Starfruit not yet ripe Starfruit at various stages of ripeness Cano Palma Although not growing on or near the station fruit frequently washes up on the nearby beaches. They are cultivated in surrounding areas. Canadian Organization for Tropical Education and Rainforest Conservation www.coterc.org