Averrhoa bilimbi is an attractive, long-lived evergreen shrub or tree with a low, sparse crown.
It can grow up to 15 metres tall, but typically reaches 2 - 3 metres in height.
This multipurpose plant provides food, medicines, and various commodities, often cultivated for its fruit in tropical regions.

Known Hazards

None known.

Habitat

Lowland primary and secondary forests, usually along rivers.

Cultivation Status

Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the humid tropical lowlands, thriving up to 1,200 metres elevation.
It prefers temperatures between 10 - 36°C, with optimal growth between 23 - 30°C.
Tolerates annual rainfall of 700 - 4,000mm, preferring well-drained, fertile soils.
Best in full sun, sheltered from strong winds, with a pH range of 5.5 - 6.5.

Edible Uses

Fruit - occasionally eaten raw or used in curries, sauces, chutneys, and pickles.
Used extensively as a souring agent in native dishes, rich in vitamin C.

Medicinal

Leaves used to cure syphilis, reduce high blood pressure, and prevent itching.
Fruit is astringent, stomachic, refrigerant, and antiscorbutic, used for fevers, diarrhoea, and more.
Applied externally for fungal diseases and rheumatism.

Agroforestry Uses

None Recorded

Other Uses

Raw fruit juice used as a stain remover, fruit used as mordants for dye preparation.
Wood, though soft and tough, is used for fuel due to limited availability in carpentry.

Propagation

Seed propagation discouraged due to high variability.
Marcotting and budding recommended for propagation, with root cutting also feasible.