How is a starfruit or carambola unusual and how is it grown?

Question

How is a starfruit or carambola unusual and how is it grown?

Answer 1

This fruit acquired its name from the five pointed star shape when cut across the middle of the fruit. I guess you would say it was unusual because of the shape of the fruit. It grows on a tree in tropical areas. It originated in Sri  Lanka, and is just starting to become popular in the US. It can be grown in southern Florida, Texas, and California.

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Answer 2

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. When the fruits are cut into chunks or slices, the individual segments strongly resemble stars.

Botanists classify carambola as tropical to subtropical, since more mature trees can handle cooler temperatures. Many people grow starfruit as a decorative container plant, as the foliage and flowers are quite attractive. A container plant can also be moved, which is convenient for people in cooler regions since they can keep the plant indoors during the winter, when it is at risk of frostbite. Carambola is also very slow growing, and it can take several years to mature enough to fruit, while container plants rarely fruit since they often do not have enough room to fully grow up.