Averrhoa carambola
Averrhoa carambola
Averrhoa carambola (/əˌvɛroʊə kærəmˈboʊlə/), commonly known as the star fruit or carambola, is a species of tree in the family Oxalidaceae native to tropical Southeast Asia. The fruit is popular throughout Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, Micronesia, parts of East Asia, and the Caribbean.
Etymology
The genus name Averrhoa is named after Averroes, a philosopher and physician from Al-Andalus. The species name carambola was derived from the Malayalam word 'karmbal' (/kɑːrmbɑːl/) meaning 'cucumber tree'.
Description
The Averrhoa carambola tree is small to medium in size, reaching 5–12 meters in height. The leaves are medium green, spirally arranged, and clustered at branch extremities. The flowers are pink to lavender in color, with five petals and numerous stamens. The fruit is oblong, with five or six deep longitudinal ribs, giving it a star shape when cut crosswise.
Cultivation and uses
The Averrhoa carambola is cultivated throughout tropical areas. The fruit is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, and has a sweet and sour flavor. It is consumed fresh, used in cooking, and made into juice, preserves, and desserts.
Related terms
- Oxalidaceae: The family of flowering plants that includes the Averrhoa carambola.
- Averroes: The philosopher and physician after whom the genus Averrhoa is named.
- Carambola: Another name for the star fruit, derived from the Malayalam word 'karmbal'.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Averrhoa carambola
- Wikipedia's article - Averrhoa carambola
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski