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AVERRHOA CARAMBOLA L. - CARAMBOLA.
Common nameBilimbing manis, carambola, starfruit, kamaranga, fransman birambi, tamarta. Family Oxalidaceae (Wood sorrel family) Overview Carambola is a slow growing small tropical tree, no more than 25 feet tall, originally from Southeast Asia (Indonesia). Bilimbing manis is growing abundantly in Suriname. The green leaflets are sensitive to light and fold inward at night. It has small, pink colored flowers with a dark-red heart. The plant will flower and fruit four times yearly. This tropical fruit, fleshy five lobbed, ovate to ellipsoid, is attractive yellow-orange and pleasantly aromatic! The tree flowers and bears fruit almost year-round. When sliced in cross section a perfect star is formed. Carambola is eaten fresh or in fruit salads. This tree seems to be used for bonsai. Hardiness USDA zone 9 B - 11. Propagation Seeds and grafting. Culture Full sun; well drained soil; water regularly, no tolerance for salt; prefers acid soil, pH 5.5 - 6.5. The young tree makes a good container plant. A young tree should never go below freezing although older trees can withstand temperatures down to 28°F. It is best grown in neutral to mildly acid pH soils (pH 5.5 - 6.5). |