Averrhoa bilimbi, Averrhoa carambola.

Averrhoa bilimbi Linn. Geraniaceae. Bilimbi. Blimbing. Cucumber Tree.

East Indies and China. The fruit is of the form and size of a gherkin, with a smooth, thin, pale green, translucent rind like that of a ripe grape. When ripe, the flesh is as soft as butter and has somewhat the flavor of an unripe gooseberry, too acid to be eaten except when cooked. Brandis speaks of it as pickled or preserved in sugar, and Smith writes that the flowers are made into conserves.

Averrhoa carambola Linn. Blimbing. Caramba. Carambola. Country Gooseberry.

East Indies and China. This plant has been cultivated for its fruit for ages in tropical and subtropical India. The form of the fruit is oblong, with five prominent angles; its skin is thin, green at first and yellowish afterwards; the flesh is soft and exceedingly juicy like a plum, with a grateful, acid flavor. In Hindustan and Ceylon, the fruit is sometimes as big as the two fists. In Sumatra, there are two sorts which are used chiefly in cookery. In Bengal, there are two varieties, one with acid, the other with sweet fruit, as also in Burma. The fruit is used as a pickle by Europeans and the flowers are said to be made into a conserve.

Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World, 1919, was edited by U. P. Hedrick.