https://gardenology.mywikis.net/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Bilimbi 2026-04-12T04:59:35Z Revision history for this page on the wiki MediaWiki 1.35.3 https://gardenology.mywikis.net/w/index.php?title=Bilimbi&diff=11473&oldid=prev 2007-11-10T12:55:49Z

<p></p> <p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Taxobox<br /> | color = lightgreen<br /> | name = ''Averrhoa bilimbi''<br /> | image = Averrhoa_bilimbi_dsc03692.jpg<br /> | image_width = 240px<br /> | regnum = [[Plant]]ae<br /> | divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]<br /> | classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]<br /> | ordo = [[Oxalidales]]<br /> | familia = [[Oxalidaceae]]<br /> | genus = ''[[Averrhoa]]''<br /> | species = '''''A. bilimbi'''''<br /> | binomial = ''Averrhoa bilimbi''<br /> | binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]<br /> }}<br /> <br /> '''''Averrhoa bilimbi''''', commonly known as '''bilimbi''', '''bimbli''', '''belimbing''', '''blimbling''', '''biling''' (and also '''bimbiri''' in [[Sinhalese language|Sinhala]] ), '''cucumber tree''' or '''tree sorrel''' is a close relative of the '''carambola''', of [[genus]] [[Averrhoa]], [[family]] [[Oxalidaceae]].<br /> <br /> ==Distribution and habitat==<br /> Originated seemingly from the [[Molucca]]s, the species is cultivated or found semi-wild throughout [[Indonesia]], the [[Philippines]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Bangladesh]] and [[Myanmar]]. It is common in other [[Southeast Asia|Southeast Asian countries]]. In [[India]], where it is usually found in gardens, the bilimbi has gone wild in the warmest regions of the country.<br /> <br /> Out of [[Asia]], the tree is cultivated in [[Zanzibar]]. In [[1793]], the tree was introduced to [[Jamaica]] from [[Timor]] and after several years, was cultivated throughout [[Central America|Central]] and [[South America]]. Introduced to [[Queensland]] at the end of the 19th [[century]], it has been commercialized in the region since then.<br /> <br /> This is essentially [[tropical]] tree, less resistant to cold than the [[carambola]], growing best in rich and well-drained [[soil]] (but also stand [[limestone]] and [[sand]]). It prefers evenly distributed [[rainfall]] over the year, but with a 2- to 3-month [[dry season]]. Therefore the species is not found, for example, in the wettest part of [[Malaysia]]. In [[Florida]], where it is an occasional curiosity, the tree needs protections from wind and cold.<br /> <br /> ==Tree description==<br /> The bilimbi tree is long-lived, reaches 5-10 m in height. Its [[trunk]] is short and quickly divides up into [[ramification (botany)|ramification]]s. Bilimbi leaves, 30-60 cm long, are alternate, [[pinnate| imparipinnate]] and cluster at [[branch]] extremities. There are around 11 to 37 alternate or [[subopposite]] oblong [[leaflet]]s. The leaves are quite similar to those of the [[Otaheite gooseberry]].<br /> <br /> ==Flower and fruit description==<br /> Its flowers, like its fruits, are found in hairy [[panicle]]s that directly emerge from the trunk as well as from the oldest, most solid branches. The yellowish or purplish flowers are tiny, fragrant and have 5 petals.<br /> <br /> The bilimbi fruit's form ranges from ellipsoid to almost cylindrical. Its length is 4-10 cm. The bilimbi is 5-sided, but in a less marked way than the [[carambola]]. At the [[Plant stem|stem]]'s end, the fruit is capped with a star-shape [[sepal | calyx]]. If unripe, it is bright green and crispy. It turns yellowish as it ripens. The flesh is juicy, green and extremely acidic. The fruit's skin is glossy and very thin.<br /> <br /> Bilimbi seeds are small (6 mm) and brown. Their form is disc-like and flattened.<br /> <br /> ==Varieties==<br /> Bilimbi does not seem to have varieties. However it has been reported to have a sweet variety in the Philippines.<br /> <br /> ==Nutritional value for 100 g of edible portion==<br /> *[[Moisture]] 94.2-94.7 g <br /> *[[Protein]] 0.61 g <br /> *[[ash (analytical chemistry)|Ash]] 0.31-0.40 g<br /> *[[Fiber]] 0.6g <br /> *[[Phosphorus]] 11.1 mg<br /> *[[Calcium]] 3.4 mg <br /> *[[Iron]] 1.01 mg <br /> *[[Thiamine]] 0.010 mg <br /> *[[Riboflavin]] 0.026 mg<br /> *[[Carotene]] 0.035 mg<br /> *[[Ascorbic Acid]] 15.5 mg<br /> *[[Niacin]] 0.302 mg<br /> <br /> ==Culinary interest==<br /> Too sour to be eaten raw, the uncooked bilimbi is prepared as [[relish]] and served with [[rice]] and [[bean]] in [[Costa Rica]]. In the [[Far East]], where the tree originates, it is sometimes added to [[curry]]. Bilimbi juice (with a [[pH]] of about 4.47) is made a cooling [[beverage]]. It can replace [[mango]] in making [[chutney]]. In [[Malaysia]], it also is made into a [[jam]], which is rather sweet.&lt;ref&gt;[http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/bilimbi.html]&lt;/ref&gt;<br /> <br /> Besides, the fruit can be preserved, which reduces its acidity. The flowers are also sometimes preserved in [[sugar]].<br /> <br /> ==Medical interest==<br /> In the Philippines, the leaves serve as a [[paste]] on [[itch]]es, swelling, [[rheumatism]], [[mumps]] or skin eruptions. Elsewhere, they are used for bites of poisonous creatures. A leaf [[infusion]] is efficient against or as an after-birth tonic, while the flower infusion is used for [[Candidiasis|thrush]], cold, and [[cough]]. Malaysians use fermented or fresh bilimbi leaves to cure [[venereal disease]]s.<br /> <br /> == Other uses ==<br /> In Malaysia, very acid bilimbis is used to clean the ''[[kris]]'' blade.<br /> <br /> == References ==<br /> &lt;references /&gt;<br /> <br /> == External links ==<br /> *[http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Averrhoabilimbi&amp;w=91314344%40N00&amp;m=tags Pictures of &lt;i&gt;Averrhoa bilimbi&lt;/i&gt;]<br /> <br /> [[category:fruit]]<br /> [[Category:Oxalidaceae]]<br /> [[Category:Flora of Indonesia]]<br /> [[Category:Flora of Myanmar]]<br /> [[ca:Bilimbi]]<br /> [[cs:Averrhoa bilimbi]]<br /> [[de:Gurkenbaum]]<br /> [[fr:Bilimbi]]<br /> [[id:Belimbing sayur]]<br /> [[nl:Bilimbing]]<br /> [[pt:Averrhoa bilimbi]]<br /> [[su:Calingcing]]</div>

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