Explanation of name:    Generic name for Averroes, an ancient astronomer.   Carambola is a common name for the fruit.

Natural range:  Tropical Asia

Recognition:   Leaves pinnately compound with 2-5 leaflet pairs, potentially deciduous; flowers lilac, star-shaped; fruit the size of an orange or grapefruit, distinctly star-shaped in cross section.  The numerous cultivars can be sorted into two main groups: smaller, acid sour types, and larger sweeter types.  A commonly grown tart cultivar in Florida is ‘Golden Star’.  ‘Atkin’ is sweeter and was developed in Florida.  There are many others.

Landscape uses:  Small tree with prolific watery edible fruits.  Propagate by seed (brief viability and not true to type), air layers (tough to root), or grafting onto rootstocks a year old.  Excess oxalic acid from fruits may impact human kidney functions.

Internet sources: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/carambola.html

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg269