How is a starfruit or carambola unusual and how is it grown?
Carambola (scientific name: Averrhoa carambola) is considered to be unusual because it has a unique texture and shape. It has a crisp texture and a tangy flavor which makes it popular in salads, desserts, and relishes. In addition to the Asian tropics, carambola is also under cultivation in parts of Latin America, where the trees thrive in humid, warm conditions. California and Florida also commercially grow star fruit, in their warmer areas. Many grocery stores carry carambola, since the unusual looking tropical fruit has a small but dedicated following. The tree appears to have originated in Sri Lanka and India, and it is also under widespread cultivation in Indonesia. A carambola tree can grow to be as large as 32 feet (10 meters), with dense, spreading branches. The leaves are compound, and pink flowers appear interspersed on the tree before they mature into the yellowish to brown fruits. The fruit of the carambola tree has five distinct sections arranged around a central axis. Whe
