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The Bilimbi

by Gene Joyner, Extension Agent I

IFAS Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service

Many people are familiar with the carambola, but a close relative, the bilimbi (Averrhoa bilimbi) is cultivated by some people for its interesting acid fruits. The foliage on bilimbi looks very similar to carambola and it comes from Indonesian origin.

Trees get about 30 feet in Florida and are very cold sensitive compared to carambolas. Attractive small red flowers are produced in clusters along the trunk and older branches and the fruits mature quickly looking like small cucumbers with a light green skin. They average two to three inches in length and the acid pulp is imbedded with small seeds. Most people will cook the bilimbi with sugar rather than eating as a fresh out of hand fruit.

Bilimbis generally produce heavy crops of fruit over a long season once they mature and its easily propagated by seeds. Few, if any, nurseries bother with grafting bilimbi, but improved varieties can be air layered.

Trees generally are not commonly available from nurseries, but if you are able to get fruit you can start your own. Plant bilimbi in a well drained soil that's slightly acid for best growth and keep away from salt wind near the ocean or intracoastal since they burn badly.

Mature trees will get injured at about 35°F so plant on the south or southeast part of the properties so they have cold protection from buildings or other more cold hardy plantings

4/2003

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