Star Fruit (Averrhoa carambola)

These are the flowers of a star fruit tree which are usually small clusters of red stalked, lilac, purple streaked, downy flowers and are borned on the twigs in the axils of the leaves. You may notice one tiny green star fruit towards the right. When the fruit is all ripe and ready to be eaten, it is about the size of your coffee cup. If you have not eaten the fruit before, well... it's absolutely delicious and refreshing. The taste is a little sweet, sour while its flesh is juicy and a little acidic. Some describes the taste to be similar to raisins which has a desirable level of sourness combined with sweetness.

The fruit when it is sliced has the form or shape of a star thus giving it the name Star Fruit.

Plant Facts
Common Name: Star Fruit, Carambola
Botanical Name: Averrhoa carambola
Family: Oxalidaceae
Plant Type: Deciduous tree
Origin: Ceylon and the Moluccas
Zones: 8 (in sheltered areas) - 11
Height: to 30'
Rate of Growth: Slow
Salt Tolerance: Low
Soil Requirements: Not too particular as to soil, but will grow faster and bear more heavily in rich loam. Needs good drainage; cannot stand flooding.
Water Requirements: Medium drought tolerance
Nutritional Requirements: Balanced liquid fertilizer monthly, side dressings of composted manure
Light Requirements: Full sun

Plant facts quoted from http://www.floridagardener.com/pom/Carambola.htm