Averrhoa bilimbi 10 seeds

This rare exotic fruit is very popular in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. In India, where it is commonly found in the gardens, the bilimbi has gone wild in the warmest regions of the country. Outside of native habitat, Bilimbi is difficult to find plants, but few growers produce them, but it is not that difficult in cultivation.

The bilimbi is closely related to the carambola, but very different in appearance, method of fruiting, taste and applications. The only strictly English names are “cucumber tree” and “tree sorrel”. “Bilimbi” is the common name in India and has become widely used. Many people are more familiar with the close ralative – Averrhoa carambola (Star Fruit), which foliage is very similar to Bilimbi. The bilimbi leaves and fruity are similar to those of the grosella (Otaheite gooseberry), although these plants are not related.

The tree is very attractive, reaching 35 feet in tropical areas, but in subtropical areas usually does not grow larger than 15-20 km, with a short proboscis dividing into erect branches. Small, fragrant, yellow-green or purple flowers marked with dark purple, are borne in small, hairy panicles arising directly from the trunk and oldest, thickest branches and single twigs, just as the clusters of curious fruits resemble small cucumbers that grow on Strunk and stems. They average 2-3 centimeters in length and the acid pulp is embedded with small seeds. The skin of the fruit is shiny and very thin. If unripe, the fruit is bright green and crispy. It turns yellowish as it ripens. The flesh is green, jelly-like, juicy and very acidic. In India as in Florida, the tree begins to bloom over February and then flowers and fruits more or less continuously through December. Trees generally produce heavy crops of fruit over a long season once they mature. A single tree often produces hundreds of fruits.