SafePlants

Averrhoa carambola (Starfruit) and Averrhoa bilimbi (Bilimbi)

This page provides information about two species of the Averrhoa genus: Averrhoa carambola, commonly known as carambola or starfruit, and Averrhoa bilimbi, known as bilimbi, cucumber tree, or tree sorrel. Both are members of the Oxalidaceae family.

Considerations for Pets

• The text mentions that certain patients with renal failure display behavioral and cognitive alterations compatible with neurologic effects after ingesting star fruit (Averrhoa carambola).

Considerations for Children

• Irumban puli (Averrhoa bilimbi) is commonly used as a traditional remedy in the state of Kerala. Freshly made concentrated juice has a very high oxalic acid.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Genus: Averrhoa, named after Averroes, a 12th-century astronomer and philosopher.
• Family: Oxalidaceae (Wood-sorrel family)
• Order: Oxalidales
• Species:
  • Averrhoa carambola L. - Synonym: Yang tao
  • Averrhoa bilimbi L.
• Taxonomic Serial Numbers:
  • Averrhoa carambola: TSN 506371
  • Averrhoa bilimbi: TSN 506370

Common Names and Ethnic Names

• Averrhoa carambola: Starfruit
• Averrhoa bilimbi: Bilimbi, Cucumber tree, Tree Sorrel
• Ethnic names for Averrhoa bilimbi: Kamias, Belimbing Asam, Belimbing
• Other names for Averrhoa bilimbi: mbirimbi wa kizungu (unspecified origin), ma fueang (Thai)

Distribution and Habitat

• Averrhoa trees are native to the East Indies.
• Starfruit was introduced into southern Florida before 1887.
• Averrhoa bilimbi is cultivated to some extent in the East Indies.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Averrhoa carambola: A small, evergreen, multistemmed tree, typically 3-5 meters high.
• Averrhoa bilimbi: An attractive, long-lived tree, reaching 5-10 meters in height with a short trunk soon dividing into upright branches. In cultivation, it usually doesn't exceed 5-6 meters. Flowers are deepest blood-red and bloom from the trunk. Leaves are oddly pinnate. The leaflets have 12 pairs.

Traditional and Medicinal Uses

• Averrhoa bilimbi (Irumban puli) is commonly used as a traditional remedy in Kerala.
• Averrhoa carambola has importance in traditional medicine.

Quirky Facts

• The Averrhoa genus is named after Averroes, a 12th-century astronomer and philosopher.

Further Information

• Encyclopedia of Life: Encyclopedia of Life
• National Center for Biotechnology Information: National Center for Biotechnology Information
• The Plant List: Information about accepted species names.