Digital Garden

Averrhoa carambola L.

ആനപ്പുളിഞ്ചക്ക

Family : OXALIDACEAE

Synonym : Averrhoa acutangula Stokes

Common Names : Aanappulinchakka, Anappulinchi, Chathurapuli, Karambola, Kamarangam, Thamaratha, Vyirapuli, Balimbing, Carambola apple, Coromandel gooseberry, Star fruit tree

Flowering Period : May-August

Distribution : Native of Indonesia, cultivated in other Tropical countries

Habitat : Cultivated

Uses : Fruits edible - raw. The fruit is crisp and juicy with a waxy yellow skin when ripe. The fruit flavour is enhanced by peeling off the ‘wing’ edges, which removes most of the oxalic acid. The fruit can be a laxative on account of the oxalic acid it contains. It is valued by Chinese communities as a remedy for high blood pressure, whilst it is also said to reduce blood sugar levels and so is of help to diabetics. In some countries, the fruit juice is used to remove stains, for example iron rust from linen cloth. The wood is a suitable candidate for firewood.

Key Characters :

Tree, to 15 m tall; branches often drooping; young parts yellowish-pubescent to reddish-glabrescent. Leaves scattered; rachises to 20 cm long; leaflets 3-6 pairs, variable, acute to acuminate at apex, to 10 x 4 cm, glaucous beneath; lateral nerves 4-10 pairs. Inflorescences axillary, rarely on branches, to 6 cm long; pedicels 3-6 mm long; jointed above middle. Sepals obovate or oblong-ovate to 3-angled, acute to obliquely emarginate, to 4 x 2 mm, subglabrous, bright red, yellowish brown with pale margin when dry. Petals obovate to lanceolate, connate above ca 1 mm long claw, glabrous or with minute septate-glandular hairs inside. Shorter stamens without anthers; filaments often swollen at base, to 4.5 mm long. Ovary ellipsoid, ca 2.5 mm long, appressed-puberulous mainly on ribs; ovules 3-5 in each locule; styles to 2 mm long. Fruits ovoid to ellipsoid with 5 acute longitudinal ridges, stellate in cross section, lobed at both ends, to 12 x 6 cm, shining, yellowish green; seeds to 10, 12 x 5 mm; aril 2-lipped, enclosing seed, fleshy.