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AVERRHOA BILIMBI

​Averrhoa bilimbi, is a small tree, able to grow up to about 5 – 10 m tall.  The flowers are purplish red and occur on the trunk or branches in pendulous clusters. ​The fruit is ellipsoid to obovoid in shape, turns from light green to yellowish-green when ripen, measuring about 4 – 10 cm long. Averrhoa bilimbi, is closely allied to the Averhhoa carambola (Starfruit), they share some of the same names despite being very different fruits.

Taxonomy:

  • ​Family : Oxalidaceae​​

Common Names:

  • Malay : Bilimbi, Belimbing Buloh, Belimbing
  • English : Cucumber Tree

Habitat and Distribution:

​Averrhoa bilimbi thrives in Tropical region. It is natively distributed in Moluccas, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Uses:

    The fruit is too acid for eating raw but the green uncooked fruits are prepared as relish in Suriname.