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Star-fruit
Averrhoa carambola
Family Oxalidaceae
updated
Nov 10
Where seen? This tree with pretty pink flowers were commonly
planted by villagers and are seen in wild areas where kampungs used
to be. According to Hsuan Keng, it possibly originated from South
India. According to Burkill and Corners, it is native to Java and
eastwards.
Features: A small tree (to about
10m), profusely branched. Compound leaves made up of (3-5 pairs of
small (5-10cm long) leaftlets, the end leaflets rather large. Flowers
small, bell-shaped, pink or red. The fruit is star-shaped in cross
section, long (8-12cm), green and juicy. According to Corners, some
trees bear sweet fruits, others sour ones.
Human uses: The fruit is considered 'cooling'. According
to Burkill, those with sweet fruits are eaten fresh or made into jams
and tarts, while sour ones are cooked. The crushed leaves and shoots
are used by the Malays to treat chicken pox, ringworm and headaches.
The fruits are also used to treat a hangover from too much drinking
as well as stomach ailments. The acid in the juices may be used to
clean metal. |
Pulau Ubin,
Oct 09
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Pulau Ubin,
Oct 09
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Pulau Ubin,
Oct 09
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Pulau Ubin,
Oct 09
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Chek Jawa,
Nov 09
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Chek Jawa,
Nov 09
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Chek Jawa,
Nov 09
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Links
References
- Hsuan Keng,
S.C. Chin and H. T. W. Tan. 1990, The
Concise Flora of Singapore: Gymnosperms and Dicotyledons.
Singapore University Press. 222 pp.
- Corners,
E. J. H., 1997. Wayside
Trees of Malaya: in two volumes.
Fourth edition, Malayan Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur. Volume 1:
1-476 pp, plates 1-38; volume 2: 477-861 pp., plates 139-236.
- Burkill,
I. H., 1993. A
Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula.
3rd printing. Publication Unit, Ministry of Agriculture, Malaysia,
Kuala Lumpur. Volume 1: 1-1240; volume 2: 1241-2444.
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