Averrhoa bilimbi (commonly known as bilimbi, orkkaappuli, cucumber tree, or tree sorrel) is a fruit-bearing tree of the genus Averrhoa, family Oxalidaceae. It is native to the Maluku Islands and Sulawesi in Indonesia, It is often multitrunked, quickly dividing into ramifications. Bilimbi leaves are alternate, pinnate, measuring approximately 30–60 cm in length. Each leaf contains 11-37 leaflets; ovate to oblong, 2–10 cm long, and 1–2 cm wide, and cluster at branch extremities. The leaves are quite similar to those of the Otaheite gooseberry. The tree is cauliflorous with 18–68 flowers in panicles that form on the trunk and other branches. The flowers are heterostylous, borne in a pendulous panicle inflorescence. The flower is fragrant, corolla of 5 petals 10–30 mm long, yellowish green to reddish purple.
The fruit is ellipsoidal, elongated, measuring about 4 – 10 cm and sometimes faintly 5-angled.
The odd-pinnate leaves hang down at night, then raise in the morning in stages like "two steps forward, one step back" and descend in the same manner in the evening.
Distribution and habitat
A. bilimbi is believed to be originally native to Moluccas, Indonesia, the species is now cultivated and found throughout Indonesia, Timor-Leste, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar (Burma), and Malaysia. It is also 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. It is also seen in coastal regions of South India.
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. In Suriname, this fruit is known as lange birambi. Introduced to Queensland at the end of the 19th century, it has been grown commercially in the region since that time. which reduces its acidity.
Potential adverse effect
The fruit contains high levels of oxalate. Acute kidney injury due to tubular necrosis caused by oxalate has been recorded in several people who drank the concentrated juice on continuous days as treatment for high cholesterol.
The fruit also contains the neurotoxin caramboxin. The combination of both substances can also cause acute kidney injury when the fruit is consumed in excess, akin to the case with carambola. Even for those with prior normal renal function, this can result in neurotoxic as well as nephrotoxic effects.
Other uses
In Malaysia, very acidic bilimbis are used to clean kris blades.
In the Philippines, it is often used in rural places as an alternative stain remover.
In the region of Addu in Maldives, the flowers of the bilimbi plant were commonly used in the 20th century as a cloth dye.
Gallery
<gallery>
File:Averrhoa bilimbi fruit by Sugeesh.jpg|Fruit
File:Averrhoa bilimbi flower.jpg|Flowers
File:Averrhoa bilimbi flower beegala.jpg|Averrhoa bilimbi flower
File:Javanese belimbing wuluh.jpg|Bilimbi tree full of fruit
</gallery>
See also
- Averrhoa carambola, a closely related tree