Bitterroot Restoration

Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Oxalidales
Family: Oxalidaceae

Common name: Bilimbi(Beng.); Cucumber tree(Eng.).
Edible Parts: Fruit, leaves
Native Range: Native to Indonesia. Grows semi-wild throughout southeast Asia. The tree is also cultivated in parts of southeast Asia.

Averrhoa bilimbi tree is very closely related to the Carambola but it differs in appearance, flavor, manner of fruiting, etc. 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. The bilimbi tree is long-lived and reaches 5-10 m in height. Its trunk is short and quickly divides up into ramifications. Bilimbi leaves, 3-6 cm long, are alternate, imparipinnate and cluster at branch extremities.

The leaves of bilimbi are used as a treatment for venereal disease. A leaf decoction is taken as a medicine to relieve rectal inflammation. It seems to be effective against coughs and thrush.