The carambola tree is slow-growing, short-trunked bushy, broad, rounded crown and reaches 20 to 30 ft. Its deciduous leaves, spirally arranged, 6 to 10 in long, and smooth on the upper surface, finely hairy and whitish on the underside. Small clusters of red-stalked, lilac, purple-streaked, downy flowers, about 1/4 in wide, are borne on the twigs in the axils of the leaves. The showy, oblong, longitudinally 5- to 6-angled fruits, 2 1/2 to 6 in 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.
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.
Juice from fruit will remove stains from hands, clothes, weapons.
Scientific Name:
Averrhoa carambola
Principle Common Name:
Star Fruit
Common Name(s):
Carambola
Synonym:
Description:
The carambola tree is slow-growing, short-trunked bushy, broad, rounded crown and reaches 20 to 30 ft. Its deciduous leaves, spirally arranged, 6 to 10 in long, and smooth on the upper surface, finely hairy and whitish on the underside. Small clusters of red-stalked, lilac, purple-streaked, downy flowers, about 1/4 in wide, are borne on the twigs in the axils of the leaves. The showy, oblong, longitudinally 5- to 6-angled fruits, 2 1/2 to 6 in 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.
General Comments:
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.
Juice from fruit will remove stains from hands, clothes, weapons.
Origin:
Nativity:
Ceylon, the Moluccas
Height Range:
20 - 30 FT
Spread Range:
20 - 30 FT
Flower Showy:
N
Warning:
Sunset Zones:
21 : 22 : 23 : 24
USDA Zones:
8a : 8b : 9a : 9b : 10a : 10b : 11
Leaf Color:
Medium Green
Leaf Texture:
Fuzzy underside : Soft
Form:
Edible : Shrub : Small Tree
Flower Color:
Lavender : Pink
Flower Time:
Continuous : Summer : Fall
Months:
Ease of Growing:
Average
Light Preferences:
Sun (minimum 8 hours direct sun)
Soil Preferences:
Rich : Well-drained
Watering Preferences:
Medium
Outstanding Features:
Edible : Fruit
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