Hybrid Grafted Balimbing (Starfruit) Fruit Tree

This variety is a hybrid between a Thailand and Taiwan variety. 

Tree description and cultivation

The carambola tree has long compound leaves (up to 50 cm long), pink flowers that appear either at leaf axils or branch extremities. The tree is densely branched and can reach a height of 5 m. Carambola is one of the rare arboreal members of the Oxalidaceae family. Unlike most tropical trees, the carambola does not need much sunlight. In a container the starfruit does well, except it needs constant moisture, extra sunlight and space to grow. Carambola Tree may fruit in a container if it is not grown too far from the equator.

The yield of starfruit is greatly increased by the active foraging of pollinators, such as honey bees and stingless bees. Also known as the "star fruit," it is very common in Jamaica.

Fruit description

Its fruit, the carambola, more popularly known as star fruit, but also coromandel gooseberry, kamranga, or five finger, is a golden-yellow to green berry. When cut across it shows a 5-pointed (sometimes 6-pointed or 7-pointed) star shape, hence the name, "star fruit." Star fruits are crunchy, and have a slightly tart, acidic, sweet taste, reminiscent of pineapples, apples, and sometimes kiwi fruit. The fruits are a good source of vitamin C. Its seeds are small and brown. They consist of a tough outer skin and a tangy white inside.

There are two varieties of star fruit - acidulate and sweet. The tart varieties can often be identified by their narrowly spaced ribs. The sweet varieties usually have thick fleshy ribs.

The fruit starts out green, and goes to yellow as it ripens, though it can be eaten in both stages.