Averrhoa carambola L.
| Kannada Name : | Kaparakhi mara |
| Common Name : | Carambola, Star fruit tree |
| Family Name : | Oxalidaceae |
| Scientific Name : | Averrhoa carambola |
| Species Type : | Indigenous |
| Phenology : | Evergreen |
| Conservation Status : | Not known |
| Flowering Period : | July - August |
| Fruiting Period : | October - January |
| Origin : | India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka |
Uses
Starfruit juice can be used to remove stains from linen. The fruit can be a laxative on account of the oxalic acid it contains. It is also used in traditional medicine for skin disorders and fevers. It is valued by Chinese communities as a remedy for high blood pressure, whilst it is also said to reduce blood sugar levels and so is of help to diabetics. The flowers are used to relieve coughs. The leaves are used to treat rheumatism. The seed is emmenagogue, galactagogue and abortifacient. The powdered seed is a good anodyne for treating asthma, colic and jaundice
Description
Small, evergreen tree, 5-12 m tall. Leaf compound, imparipinnate, alternate, leaflets ovate-elliptic, pubescent, base rounded or truncate, apex acute to acuminate. Inflorescence axillary or ramal panicles or cymes. Flowers numerous, small, lilac to purple, petals 8-9 mm long. Fruit a berry, narrowly oblong, 5 ridged, yellow when mature.
