Family: Oxalidaceae
Common name: Star fruit, Five-corner, Carambola
Star fruit tree is a small tropical tree that bears yellowish-green, star-shaped fruits almost through the year. They are very commonly found in India, favored for their unique sweet and sour taste.
Tree Characteristics
The tree can grow to a height of 10-12 meters tall with a dense, spreading crown. The branches droop to the sides, making the tree wider than its height. The leaves are alternate, dark green, glossy, and oval-shaped, and can grow up to 15-18 cm long.
The leaves are sensitive to light, folding up in the night or even when they are shaken vigorously. When in bloom, the tree looks very attractive, with deep pink flowers growing thickly on the branches. The flowers are pinkish-white, bell-shaped, and fragrant, blooming in thick clusters from late spring to early summer.
Star fruit tree flowers attract birds and bees to the garden, pollinating themselves and also other plants. The most distinctive feature of the tree is the thick, fleshy, light green fruits that are about 5-15 cm long and 3-6 cm in diameter.
When cut, the cross-section has a distinct star shape giving the tree its name. The fruit has five prominent ridges that run the length of the fruit, giving it its star-like shape.
When ripe, the inside flesh is yellow and sweet. The fruits contain 10-12 small seeds that are thin and brown.
They are closely related to the Averrhoa bilimbi or Bilimbi tree, the only two trees in the Averrhoa genus producing edible fruits.
Gardening Tips
Star fruit trees grow well in tropical countries with good rainfall. They can tolerate dry weather, waterlogging, and winds. And they make good garden trees due to year-round flowering and fruiting.
Star Fruit trees need good sunlight and well-drained soil. While planting the tree, make sure there is enough space around them to grow.
Regular watering is needed during summer months and also when the tree is small. They can even be grown in large pots or grow bags in balcony and terrace gardens, provided there is good sunlight.
Fertilization can be done once in 6 months to a year, during the growing and flowering time, to encourage abundant blooming.
Prune only if needed, to keep the tree compact and bushy. Though Star Fruit trees are relatively resistant to pests, they can occasionally get mealy bug or aphid infestations, that should be treated immediately.
Uses of Star Fruits
Fruits are eaten raw or used in salads, juices, pickles, or preserves. They are a rich source of Vitamin C, helping prevent infections and illnesses.
Parts of the star fruit tree have been used in the treatment of skin diseases, fever, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cough.
The fruits are used in dyeing, and also as a stain remover. Softwood of the tree is used in making small implements and furniture.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds, grafting, and air layering.
Mature fruits can be collected and dried to extract the fruits, which can then be planted in moist soil to germinate.
Grafting involves placing a branch from a mature tree to a rootstock, from which it can grow well into a new tree.
Air layering is a method of propagation where a small piece of the bark is removed from the trunk. This area is then wrapped in sphagnum moss and then with a plastic cover, and kept moist. This area will develop roots, after which it can be severed from the parent tree, and replanted.
