Delicate and requires careful attention when young. Requires pruning and thinning of excess fruit at an early stage due to fast growth rate. Crops are harvested from grafted varieties when they are 2- 3 years old.
Tree Species (Scientific Name)
Averrhoa carambola
Food
Medicinal
Ornamental
English Common Name
Starfruit, Foreign peach
Indonesian Common Name
Belimbing manis
Tree Family
Oxalidaceae
Average Leaf Size (cm)
20cm
Length
×
5cm
Width
Tree Height
Shrub (1–10m)
Elevational Range (m)
0–900m
Distribution
Native
Exotic
Native to Indonesia
Native to
Region
Asia
Malaysia, Singapore
Indonesia
Java, Maluku Islands, Sulawesi
Exotic in
SE Asia
Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam
Indonesia
Borneo, Sumatra
Coffee Agroforestry Information
Coffee System
Robusta
Arabica
Coffee Impact
Unknown
Prevalence
Common in Coffee Agroforestry
Cultivation
Planted
Regeneration
Regenerates Naturally
Tree Management
Tree Benefits and Uses
Farmer Uses
- Food
- Medicinal
- Ornamental
Fruits are extremely perishable so they must be consumed locally and are eaten fresh, mixed with other fruits in salads, processed into drinks, stewed, pickled, or used for chutney and jam, and the fruit flavor is enhanced by peeling off the ‘wing’ edges, removing most of the oxalic acid. The fruit is a good source of Vitamin C and used as a laxative and in traditional medicine for skin disorders and fevers. Used medicinally to lower blood pressure. With its delicate, light green foliage, small pink flowers, and prolific golden-yellow fruits, it is popular as an ornamental plant.
Farm Services
- Unknown
Biodiversity Benefits
Yes
Birds forage in the tree as fruit and flowers attract insects.