Star Fruit ‘Kari’ (Averrhoa Carambola)

Kari Star Fruit is a heavy producing tropical fruit tree, native to the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is commonly known as Carambola or Star Apple. It comes from the wood sorrel family. It is a slow growing plant, but has many medicinal and edible uses.  

The firm star shaped fruit is naturally waxy, bright yellow, about 4 inches long, and entirely edible! Fruit is low in sugar and rich in antioxidants, potassium, Vitamin C, and is antimicrobial.  The flavor is similar to a sweet-tart blend of green apple, pear, grape, and citrus. 

The plant produces prolific and gorgeous, pink, purple, and white flowers. These flowers stem off of woody branches, and bear a lot of fruit in the summer and fall.  It is suitable for container gardening, and can thrive in a large pot. In the colder months they may loose their leaves, so they should be overwintered indoors if temperatures reach below freezing!  

Carambola will bloom throughout most of the year, but prominently throughout May and September/October. In Florida, harvest season is generally from June through February, with peaks in fruit production during August through September, and December through February.  Prune in late winter.