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{{Taxobox
{{Plantbox
| color = lightgreen
| color = IndianRed
| common_names = Star Fruit
| growth_habit = [[Tree]]
| high = 30-40 ft. (9-12 m)
| wide = 15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
| lifespan = [[Perennial]]
| exposure = Sun
| water = moderate
| features = Fruit
| hardiness = 28F (0 C)
| usda_zones = 9/10 - 11
| sunset_zones = 23-24, H1, H2
| name = ''Averrhoa carambola''
| name = ''Averrhoa carambola''
| image = Carambola cut.jpg
| image = Carambola cut.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = Carambola fruits
| image_caption = Carambola fruits
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| regnum = Plantae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| divisio = Magnoliophyta
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| classis = Magnoliopsida
| ordo = [[Oxalidales]]
| ordo = Oxalidales
| familia = [[Oxalidaceae]]
| familia = Oxalidaceae
| genus = ''[[Averrhoa]]''
| genus = Averrhoa
| species = '''''A. carambola'''''
| species = carambola
}}
}}
[[Image:Averrhoa carambola ARS k5735-7.jpg|thumb|200px|Carambolas still on the tree]]
[[Image:Averrhoa carambola ARS k5735-7.jpg|thumb|200px|Carambolas still on the tree]]
[[Image:Belimbing.jpg|thumb|200px|Belimbing, as it is called in Indonesia]]
[[Image:Belimbing.jpg|thumb|200px|Belimbing, as it is called in Indonesia]]
A slow-growing tree, the star fruit is best adapted to warm tropics from sea level to 2000ft, but can be grown elsewhere if the plant is protected from extreme cold.
==Tree description and cultivation==
The '''carambola''' is a species of [[tree]] native to [[Sri Lanka]], [[India]] and [[Indonesia]]. Carambola is closely related to the [[bilimbi]].
==Cultivation==
The carambola tree has long [[compound leaf|compound leaves]] (up to 50 cm long), pink [[flower]]s that appear either at leaf [[axil]]s or [[branch]] extremities. The tree is densely [[branch]]ed and can reach a height of 5 m. Carambola is one of the rare arboreal members of the [[Oxalidaceae]] family. Unlike most [[tropics|tropical]] trees, the carambola does not need much sunlight. In a container the starfruit does well, except it needs constant moisture, extra sunlight and space to grow. Carambola Tree will fruit in a container.
The carambola tree has long [[compound leaf|compound leaves]] (up to 50 cm long), pink [[flower]]s that appear either at leaf [[axil]]s or [[branch]] extremities. The tree is densely [[branch]]ed and can reach a height of 5 m. Carambola is one of the rare arboreal members of the [[Oxalidaceae]] family. Unlike most [[tropics|tropical]] trees, the carambola does not need much sunlight. In a container the starfruit does well, except it needs constant moisture, extra sunlight and space to grow. Carambola Tree will fruit in a container.
The yield of starfruit is greatly increased by the active foraging of [[pollinator]]s, such as [[honey bee]]s and [[stingless bee]]s
The yield of starfruit is greatly increased by the active foraging of [[pollinator]]s, such as [[honey bee]]s and [[stingless bee]]s
==Fruit description==
Both hot/dry and cold winds can severely damage trees and fruit, so adequate windbreaks are suggested for ideal culture. Give the plant full sun, fertilize 4-5 times a year, and provide moderate water throughout the year. Heavy water during flowering may inhibit pollination and fruit production. Star fruit's are susceptible to root rot under wet conditions, but they generally do well with moderate, year-round rainfall.
===Propagation===
Seedling trees usually fruit within 4-6 years, while grafted trees can fruit in under a year.
==Cultivars==
Its fruit, the carambola, more popularly known as '''star fruit''', but also '''coromandel gooseberry''', '''kamranga''', or '''five finger''', is a golden-[[yellow]] to [[green]] [[berry]]. When cut across it shows a 5-pointed (sometimes 6-pointed or 7-pointed) star shape, hence the name, "star fruit." Star fruits are crunchy, and have a slightly tart, acidic, sweet taste, reminiscent of pears, apples, and sometimes grapes. The fruits are a good source of [[vitamin C]]. Its [[seed]]s are small and brown. They consist of a tough outer skin and a tangy white inside.
Its fruit, the carambola, more popularly known as '''star fruit''', but also '''coromandel gooseberry''', '''kamranga''', or '''five finger''', is a golden-[[yellow]] to [[green]] [[berry]]. When cut across it shows a 5-pointed (sometimes 6-pointed or 7-pointed) star shape, hence the name, "star fruit." Star fruits are crunchy, and have a slightly tart, acidic, sweet taste, reminiscent of pears, apples, and sometimes grapes. The fruits are a good source of [[vitamin C]]. Its [[seed]]s are small and brown. They consist of a tough outer skin and a tangy white inside.
Each has its own origin, flavor and production levels.
Each has its own origin, flavor and production levels.
==Health Risks==
==Health Risks==
Individuals with [[kidney]] trouble should avoid consuming the fruit, due to the presence of [[oxalic acid]]. Juice made from carambola can be even more dangerous due to its concentration of the acid.
Individuals with [[kidney]] trouble should avoid consuming the fruit, due to the presence of [[oxalic acid]]. Juice made from carambola can be even more dangerous due to its concentration of the acid.
===Drug Interactions===
==Drug Interactions==
Like grapefruit, star fruit is considered to be a potent inhibitor of seven [[cytochrome P450]] isoforms.<ref>[http://www.hktmc.com/ChineseMedia/Magazine/Medicine/ajdmpk/AJDMPK-2006-3/asian6-3(248-261)(DM).doc Abstracts: Metabolism and metabolic enzymes studies for the 8th National Congress on Drug and Xenobiotic Metabolism in China]</ref><ref>[http://www.theannals.com/cgi/content/full/40/7/1472-a Potential Drug-Food Interactions with Pomegranate Juice]</ref> These enzymes are significant in the [[drug metabolism|first pass elimination]] of many medicines, and thus the consumption of star fruit or its juice in combination with certain medications can significantly increase their effective dosage within the body. Research into [[grapefruit]] juice has identified a number of common medications affected, including [[statins]] which are commonly used to treat cardiovascular illness, [[benzodiazepines]] (a tranquilizer family including [[diazepam]]) as well as other medicines.<ref>[http://medicine.iupui.edu/flockhart/table.htm P450 Table]</ref> These interactions can be fatal if an unfortunate confluence of genetic, pharmacological, and lifestyle factors results in, for instance, [[heart failure]], as could occur from the co-ingestion of star fruit or star fruit juice with [[atorvastatin]] (Lipitor).
Like grapefruit, star fruit is considered to be a potent inhibitor of seven [[cytochrome P450]] isoforms.<ref>[http://www.hktmc.com/ChineseMedia/Magazine/Medicine/ajdmpk/AJDMPK-2006-3/asian6-3(248-261)(DM).doc Abstracts: Metabolism and metabolic enzymes studies for the 8th National Congress on Drug and Xenobiotic Metabolism in China]</ref><ref>[http://www.theannals.com/cgi/content/full/40/7/1472-a Potential Drug-Food Interactions with Pomegranate Juice]</ref> These enzymes are significant in the [[drug metabolism|first pass elimination]] of many medicines, and thus the consumption of star fruit or its juice in combination with certain medications can significantly increase their effective dosage within the body. Research into [[grapefruit]] juice has identified a number of common medications affected, including [[statins]] which are commonly used to treat cardiovascular illness, [[benzodiazepines]] (a tranquilizer family including [[diazepam]]) as well as other medicines.<ref>[http://medicine.iupui.edu/flockhart/table.htm P450 Table]</ref> These interactions can be fatal if an unfortunate confluence of genetic, pharmacological, and lifestyle factors results in, for instance, [[heart failure]], as could occur from the co-ingestion of star fruit or star fruit juice with [[atorvastatin]] (Lipitor).
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
==External links==
==External links==
*[http://ndt.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/18/1/120 Intoxication by star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) in 32 uraemic patients: treatment and outcome (Oxford journals)]
*[http://ndt.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/18/1/120 Intoxication by star fruit (Averrhoa carambola) in 32 uraemic patients: treatment and outcome (Oxford journals)]