Averrhoa bilimbi - Belambu

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Belambu, Averrhoa bilimbi (Bilimbi)

Belambu or Averrhoa bilimbi (commonly known as bilimbi, cucumber tree, or tree sorrel) is a fruit-bearing tree of the genus Averrhoa, family Oxalidaceae. It is a close relative of carambola tree.

Uses

blood pressure, syphilis, itching, rheumatism, pimples, coughs, {Uses|coughs}}, {Uses|coughs}}.

Parts Used

fruits, Leaves.

Chemical Composition

2-furaldehyde; ascorbic acid; butyl-nicotinate; hexyl-nicotinate; niacin; oxalic acid; palmitic acid; riboflavin; thiamine; vitamin A

Common names

Language	Common name
Kannada	Belambu
Hindi	Bilimbi
Malayalam	Vilumpi
Tamil	Pulima
Telugu	Gommareku
Marathi	NA
Gujarathi	NA
Punjabi	NA
Kashmiri	NA
Sanskrit	Belambu
English	Bilimbi, Cucumber-Tree

Habit

Evergreen Tree

Identification

Leaf

Kind	Shape	Feature
simple	alternate	Green leaves, alternate arrangement and usually clustered at the branch tips, measuring about 30 - 60 cm long, each leaf has about 11 - 37 ovate to oblong leaflets measuring about 2 - 10 cm long and 1.2 cm wide.

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Flower

Type	Size	Color and composition	Stamen	More information
unisexual	2.5 cm long	purplish-red flowers	5-petale	Small purplish-red flowers borne in a pendulous panicle inflorescence, 5-petled and fragrant, each inflorescence has about 60 flowers

Fruit

Type	Size	Mass	Appearance	Seeds	More information
short legume	7.5–11 cm long, 1.5 cm broad	clearly grooved lengthwise, Lowest hooked hairs aligned towards crown	oblong, obtuse, tipped with long style base, flat, thin, papery, undulately crimpled, pilose, pale brown.	12-20 seeds	{{{6}}}

Other features

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

• Vishatinduka Taila as root juice extract

Mode of Propagation

Seeds, Cuttings.

How to plant/cultivate

A plant of the humid tropical lowlands, where it can also be found at elevations up to 1,200 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 23 - 30°c, but can tolerate 10 - 36°c

Commonly seen growing in areas

dLowland primary and secondary forests, along river.

Photo Gallery

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  Fruit

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  Flowers

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  Averrhoa bilimbi flower

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  Cucumber tree full with fruits