Averrhoa bilimbi
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Oxalidales Family: Oxalidaceae Genus: Averrhoa Species: A. bilimbi
Binomial name
Averrhoa bilimbi L.

Averrhoa bilimbi, commonly known as bilimbi, bimbli, belimbing, blimbling, biling (and also bimbiri in Sinhala ), cucumber tree, tree sorrel, or khế tàu is a close relative of the carambola, of genus Averrhoa, family Oxalidaceae. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1944x2592, 2350 KB) Averrhoa bilimbi en: Photograph taken at the Jardin dÉden botanical park, Saint-Gilles les Bains (commune of Saint-Paul), Réunion Island (Pacific Ocean, a part of the French Republic). ... Scientific classification redirects here. ... For other uses, see Plant (disambiguation). ... Classes Magnoliopsida - Dicots Liliopsida - Monocots The flowering plants or angiosperms are the most widespread group of land plants. ... Orders See text. ... Species See text Averrhoa is a genus of trees in the Oxalidaceae family, of the Oxalidales order, named after Averroes - a 12th century astronom and philosopher. ... Latin name redirects here. ... Carl Linnaeus, Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as  , (May 13, 1707[1] – January 10, 1778), was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist[2] who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of nomenclature. ... Sinhalese or Sinhala (සිංහල, ISO 15919: , pronounced ], earlier referred to as Singhalese) is the mother tongue of the Sinhalese, the largest ethnic group of Sri Lanka. ... For other uses, see Genus (disambiguation). ... Species See text Averrhoa is a genus of trees in the Oxalidaceae family, of the Oxalidales order, named after Averroes - a 12th century astronom and philosopher. ... For other uses, see Family (disambiguation). ...

Distribution and habitat

Originated apparently on the Moluccas, Indonesia, the species is cultivated or found semi-wild throughout Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar. It is common in other Southeast Asian countries. In India, where it is usually found in gardens, the bilimbi has gone wild in the warmest regions of the country. This page is about the geography and history of the island group in Indonesia — for the political entities encompassing the islands, see Maluku (Indonesian province) and North Maluku. ... Anthem: Kaba Ma Kyei Capital Naypyidaw , Largest city Yangon (Rangoon) Official languages Burmese Recognised regional languages Jingpho, Shan, Karen, Mon, Rakhine Demonym Burmese Government Military junta  -  Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Senior General Than Shwe  -  Vice Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Vice-Senior General... Location of Southeast Asia Southeast Asia is a subregion of Asia. ...

Outside of Asia, the tree is cultivated in Zanzibar. In 1793, the bilimbi was introduced to Jamaica from Timor and after several years, was cultivated throughout Central and South America. Introduced to Queensland at the end of the 19th century, it has been grown commercially in the region since that time. For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ... Map of Zanzibars main island Zanzibar is part of Tanzania Coordinates: , Country Tanzania Islands Unguja and Pemba Capital Zanzibar City Settled AD 1000 Government  - Type semi-autonomous part of Tanzania  - President Amani Abeid Karume Area  - Both Islands  637 sq mi (1,651 km²) Population (2004)  - Both Islands 1,070... Year 1793 (MDCCXCIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... Timor is an island at the south end of the Malay Archipelago, divided between the independent state of East Timor, and West Timor, part of the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara with the surface of 11,883 sq mi (30,777 km²). The name is a variant of timur... For other uses, see Central America (disambiguation). ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... Slogan or Nickname: Sunshine State, Smart State Motto(s): Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Quentin Bryce Premier Anna Bligh (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 28  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $158,506 (3rd... A century (From the Latin cent, one hundred) is one hundred consecutive years. ...

This is essentially a tropical tree, less resistant to cold than the carambola, growing best in rich and well-drained soil (but also stands limestone and sand). It prefers evenly distributed rainfall throughout 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 protection from wind and cold. The tropics are the geographic region of the Earth centered on the equator and limited in latitude by the two tropics: the Tropic of Cancer in the north and the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere. ... Binomial name Averrhoa carambola L. Carambolas still on the tree The carambola is a species of tree native to Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia and is popular throughout Southeast Asia Malaysia and parts of East Asia. ... Loess field in Germany Surface-water-gley developed in glacial till, Northern Ireland For other uses, see Soil (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Limestone (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Sand (disambiguation). ... In meteorology, precipitation is any kind of water that falls from the sky as part of the weather. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... This article is about the U.S. State of Florida. ...

Tree description

The bilimbi tree is long-lived, reaches 5-10 m in height. Its trunk is short and quickly divides up into ramifications. Bilimbi leaves, 30-60 cm long, are alternate, imparipinnate and cluster at branch extremities. There are around 11 to 37 alternate or subopposite oblong leaflets. The leaves are quite similar to those of the Otaheite gooseberry. Trunk may be: Look up trunk in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Naturally-occurring ramification helps gives these conifers a regular, cone-shaped outline. ... Look up Pinnate in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A leaflet in botany is a part of a compound leaf. ... Binomial name Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels. ...

Flower and fruit description

Bilimbi fruit

Its flowers, like its fruits, are found in hairy panicles 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. White-fruited Rowan (Sorbus glabrescens) corymb; note the branched structures holding the fruits. ...

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 stem's end, the fruit is capped with a star-shape 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. Binomial name Averrhoa carambola L. Carambolas still on the tree The carambola is a species of tree native to Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia and is popular throughout Southeast Asia Malaysia and parts of East Asia. ... Stem showing internode and nodes plus leaf petiole and new stem rising from node. ... Flower of the Primrose Willowherb (Ludwigia octovalvis) showing petals and sepals A sepal is one member or part of the calyx of a flower. ...

Bilimbi seeds are small (6 mm) and brown. Their form is disc-like and flattened.

Varieties

Bilimbi does not seem to have varieties. However, it has been reported to have a sweet variety in the Philippines.

A big variety Bilimbi fruit from India

Nutritional value for 100 g of edible portion

• Moisture 94.2-94.7 g
• Protein 0.61 g
• Ash 0.31-0.40 g
• Fiber 0.6g
• Phosphorus 11.1 mg
• Calcium 3.4 mg
• Iron 1.01 mg
• Thiamine 0.010 mg
• Riboflavin 0.026 mg
• Carotene 0.035 mg
• Ascorbic Acid 15.5 mg
• Niacin 0.302 mg

Dew on a spider web Moldy bread Moisture generally refers to the presence of water, often in trace amounts. ... A representation of the 3D structure of myoglobin showing coloured alpha helices. ... One of the components in the proximate analysis of biological materials, consisting mainly of carbonates and bicarbonates of metals. ... Fiber or fibre[1] is a class o f materials that are continuous filaments or are in discrete elongated pieces, similar to lengths of thread. ... General Name, symbol, number phosphorus, P, 15 Chemical series nonmetals Group, period, block 15, 3, p Appearance waxy white/ red/ black/ colorless Standard atomic weight 30. ... For other uses, see Calcium (disambiguation). ... Fe redirects here. ... For the similarly spelled nucleic acid, see Thymine Thiamine or thiamin, also known as vitamin B1, is one of the B vitamins. ... Riboflavin (E101), also known as vitamin B2, is an easily absorbed micronutrient with a key role in maintaining health in animals. ... β-Carotene represented by a 3-dimensional stick diagram Carotene is responsible for the orange colour of the carrots and many other fruits and vegetables. ... This article deals with the molecular aspects of ascorbic acid. ... Niacin, also known as nicotinic acid or vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin whose derivatives such as NADH, NAD, NAD+, and NADP play essential roles in energy metabolism in the living cell and DNA repair. ...

Culinary interest

In the rural parts of the Philippines, where it is commonly found as a backyard plant, it is eaten raw, dipped in rock salt, as a snack. It could either be curred or added as flavoring for the common Filipino dish sinigang. 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. In Indonesia, it is added in some dishes, for substituting tamarind or tomato. Sinigang is a Philippine dish famous for the variety of ingredients one can use as well as for its taste. ... For other uses, see Relish (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Rice (disambiguation). ... Green beans Bean is a common name for large plant seeds of several genera of Fabaceae (formerly Leguminosae) used for food or feed. ... This article is about the Asian regions. ... This article is about the dish. ... For other uses, see PH (disambiguation). ... The word drink is primarily a verb, meaning to ingest liquids, see Drinking. ...

Besides, the fruit can be preserved, which reduces its acidity. The flowers are also sometimes preserved in sugar. This article is about sugar as food and as an important and widely-traded commodity. ...

In another part of Indonesia, Aceh, it is preserved by sun-drying, the sun-dried bilimbi is called asam sunti. Bilimbi and asam sunti are popular in Acehnese culinary. It can replace mango in making chutney. In Malaysia, it also is made into a jam, which is rather sweet.^[1] Aceh (pronounced , generally Anglicized as IPA: ) is a special territory (daerah istimewa) of Indonesia, located on the northern tip of the island of Sumatra. ... Aceh (pronounced , generally Anglicized as IPA: ) is a special territory (daerah istimewa) of Indonesia, located on the northern tip of the island of Sumatra. ... Species About 35 species, including: Mangifera altissima Mangifera applanata Mangifera caesia Mangifera camptosperma Mangifera casturi Mangifera decandra Mangifera foetida Mangifera gedebe Mangifera griffithii Mangifera indica Mangifera kemanga Mangifera laurina Mangifera longipes Mangifera macrocarpa Mangifera mekongensis Mangifera odorata Mangifera pajang Mangifera pentandra Mangifera persiciformis Mangifera quadrifida Mangifera siamensis Mangifera similis Mangifera... This article is about the condiment. ... Jam from berries Jam (also known as jelly or preserves) is a type of sweet spread or condiment made with fruits or sometimes vegetables, sugar, and sometimes pectin if the fruits natural pectin content is insufficient to produce a thick product. ...

Medical interest

In the Philippines, the leaves serve as a paste on itches, 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 thrush, cold, and cough. Malaysians use fermented or fresh bilimbi leaves to cure venereal diseases. Look up paste in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For other uses, see Itch (disambiguation). ... Rheumatism or Rheumatic disorder is a non-specific term for medical problems affecting the heart, bones, joints, kidney, skin and lung. ... An infusion is a beverage made by steeping a flavoring substance in hot or boiling water. ... Candidiasis, commonly called yeast infection or thrush, is a fungal infection (mycosis) of any of the Candida species, of which Candida albicans is the most common. ... Sexually-transmitted infections (STIs), also known as sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs), are diseases that are commonly transmitted between partners through some form of sexual activity, most commonly vaginal intercourse, oral sex, or anal sex. ...

Other uses

In Malaysia, very acid bilimbis is used to clean the kris blade. This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

References

External links

• Pictures of Averrhoa bilimbi