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Bilimbi (Camias)

Averrhoa bilimbi

Description:

The bilimbi tree is long-lived and reaches 5-10 m in height. Its trunk is short & quickly divides up into ramifications. Bilimbi leaves, 3-6 cm long, are alternate, imparipinnate and cluster at branch extremities. There are around 11 to 37 alternate or subopposite oblong leaflets. The leaves are quite similar to those of the Otaheite gooseberry.

Habitat:

Possibly originating on the Moluccas, Indonesia, the species is cultivated or found semif-wild throughout Indonesia, The Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar (Burma) and Malaysia. It is common in other Southeast Asian countries. In India, where it is usually found in gardens, the bilimbi has gone wild in the warmest regions of the country. Outside of Asia, the tree is cultivated in Zanzibar. In 1793, the bilimbi was introduced to Jamaica from Timor and after several years, was cultivated throughout Central and South America where it is known as mimbro. Introduced to Queensland at the end of the 19th century, it has been grown commercially in the region since that time. This is essentially a tropical tree, less resistant to cold than the carambola, growing best in rich and well-drained soil (but also stands limestone and sand). It prefers evenly distributed rainfall throughout the year, but with a 2- to 3-month dry season. Therefore the species is not found, for example, in the wettest part of Malaysia. In Florida, where it is an occasional curiosity, the tree needs protection from wind and cold.

1 Species ID Suggestions

Bilimbi
Averrhoa bilimbi Averrhoa bilimbi


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6 Comments

OnengDyah
OnengDyah 11 years ago

Di In donesia blimbing wuluh ini bisa digunakan untuk mengobati luka baru dengan cara di haluskan dan dioleskan ke kulit yang luka, juga digunakqan untuk mengobati sakit tenggorokan/ batuk dengan cara di potong potong terus diberi air panas mendidih ( dibuat minuman ) dan diberi sedikit gula merah kemudian diminum selagi hangat.Untuk masakan digunakan sebagai bumbu masakan seperti membuat steam ikan , sayur asem , acar kuning ikan asem asem daging, atau dimakan begitu saja, juga ada sebagian masyarakat yang menggunakan untuk menguruskan badan .

Jolly Ibañez
Jolly Ibañez 11 years ago

Just explain in your language and I'll have it translated.

OnengDyah
OnengDyah 11 years ago

Jolly, I' m sorry I can't explaint it in English, because my english is not good ,at now, maybe at next time ( If I translat it with google tanstl...)

Jolly Ibañez
Jolly Ibañez 11 years ago

I know it is used for food but I did not know its medicinal. How do you use it as medicine?

OnengDyah
OnengDyah 11 years ago

InIndonesia this plant call ' blimbing wuluh ' we use for vegetable and medicinal .

Jolly Ibañez
Jolly Ibañez 11 years ago

Thanks KathrinHachenberg for the ID.

Jolly Ibañez
Spotted by
Jolly Ibañez

Zamboanga City, Philippines

Spotted on Jun 25, 2012
Submitted on Jun 25, 2012

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