STAR FRUIT (Chathurapuli)
| Name in Malayalam | : | ചതുരപ്പുളി, കാറ്റുറപ്പുളി |
| Name in Hindi | : | करमल |
| Botanical Name | : | Averrhoa carambola |
| Medicinal Properties | : | Laxative on account of the oxalic acid it contains |
Description
Star fruit or starfruit also called Carambola, is the fruit of Averrhoa carambola, a species of tree native to tropical Southeast Asia. The fruit is commonly consumed in parts of Brazil, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the South Pacific, micronesia, parts of East Asia, the United States, and the Caribbean. The tree is cultivated throughout tropical areas of the world. The fruit has distinctive ridges running down its sides (usually 5–6). When cut in cross-section, it resembles a star, giving it the name of star fruit. The entire fruit is edible, usually raw, and may be cooked or made into relishes, preserves, garnish, and juices.Characteristics:
A slow growing small tropical tree, no more than 25 feet tall, originally from Southeast Asia (Indonesia) The green leaflets are sensitive to light and fold inward at night. It has small, pink colored flowers with a dark-red heart. The carambola plant will flower and fruit four times yearly. This tropical fruit, fleshy five lobbed, ovate to elliptoid, is attractive yellow-orange and pleasantly aromatic! The tree flowers and bears fruit almost year-round. When sliced in cross section a perfect star is formed. Carambola is eaten fresh or in fruit salads. The carambola tree seems to be used for bonsai.
