Averrhoea carambola
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Field Diagnostic
Averhoea carambola is a tree with drooping branches, 3 – 6 pairs of leaflets, purple-red flowers and shiny yellow fruit with 5 pronounced ribs.
Morphological Description
Ave. mature high : 3 m tall, max 10 m high
Canopy form : Round form
Stem/trunk : bark is light brown, smooth or finely fissured [1].
Leaf : Leaves are pinnate, 3 – 6 pairs of 4 – 10 cm long, ovate leaflets and a single terminal leaflet [3].
Flower : Flowers are pentamerous, normally in auxiliary panicles, with joined petals, up to 8 mm in length, light red with purple centre [3].
Fruit : Fruit a large, indehiscent berry, 5 - 8 cm long; with a characteristic shape in cross-section resembling a 5-pointed star; yellowish-green, becoming orange-yellow when ripe. Each cell of the fruit contains 5 arillate seeds [1].
Ecology
A. carambola grows best in the hot, humid tropics but will tolerate some cool weather. Young plants may be killed or badly damaged by frost, while mature specimens can withstand temperatures as low as -3° C for short periods, with some damage to branches and leaves. They can also tolerate dry periods and some wind if it is not too cold [1].
Future Potential, Ecological Functions & Potential Uses
The fruits are refreshing eaten fresh, mixed with other fruits, in salads, or processed into drinks. They are also stewed, pickled or used for chutney and jam. The fruit flavour is enhanced by peeling off the ‘wing’ edges, which removes most of the oxalic acid. Because the fruit is extremely perishable it must be consumed locally. Some Brazilian cultivars have a very high content of vitamin C as well as an applicable amount of provitamin A. Otherwise, with its delicate, light-green foliage, small, pink flowers and prolific golden-yellow fruits, A. carambola is popular in homegardens and parks [1].
Averhoea carambola is a tree with drooping branches, 3 – 6 pairs of leaflets, purple-red flowers and shiny yellow fruit with 5 pronounced ribs.
Morphological Description
Ave. mature high : 3 m tall, max 10 m high
Canopy form : Round form
Stem/trunk : bark is light brown, smooth or finely fissured [1].
Leaf : Leaves are pinnate, 3 – 6 pairs of 4 – 10 cm long, ovate leaflets and a single terminal leaflet [3].
Flower : Flowers are pentamerous, normally in auxiliary panicles, with joined petals, up to 8 mm in length, light red with purple centre [3].
Fruit : Fruit a large, indehiscent berry, 5 - 8 cm long; with a characteristic shape in cross-section resembling a 5-pointed star; yellowish-green, becoming orange-yellow when ripe. Each cell of the fruit contains 5 arillate seeds [1].
Ecology
A. carambola grows best in the hot, humid tropics but will tolerate some cool weather. Young plants may be killed or badly damaged by frost, while mature specimens can withstand temperatures as low as -3° C for short periods, with some damage to branches and leaves. They can also tolerate dry periods and some wind if it is not too cold [1].
Future Potential, Ecological Functions & Potential Uses
The fruits are refreshing eaten fresh, mixed with other fruits, in salads, or processed into drinks. They are also stewed, pickled or used for chutney and jam. The fruit flavour is enhanced by peeling off the ‘wing’ edges, which removes most of the oxalic acid. Because the fruit is extremely perishable it must be consumed locally. Some Brazilian cultivars have a very high content of vitamin C as well as an applicable amount of provitamin A. Otherwise, with its delicate, light-green foliage, small, pink flowers and prolific golden-yellow fruits, A. carambola is popular in homegardens and parks [1].
