Star Fruit 'Arkin' (Averrhoa carambola)

Arkin Star Fruit (Averrhoa carambola) is a hybrid product of stock-market discipline and tropical-fruit enthusiasm. This Carambola variety was hybridized by Morris Arkin, a Washington, D.C. native stockbroker who retired into the fruitful world of horticulture. In reaping the benefits of homegrown life, the Arkin Star Fruit was born.

Averrhoa carambola is an evergreen tropical shrub with woody, drooping branches. It makes a great ornamental addition to a home landscape, ticking all of the boxes for a plant that’s useful and good looking. Compared to other Carambola fruit trees, this star fruit variety is praised for being easy to grow, and producing tasty, abundant crops. Some gardeners prefer to use extra soil nutrients that make fruit sweeter when it’s time to harvest them. 

In a tropical to subtropical climate, you can reap the rewards of star fruit trees year-round, when exotic purple flowers give way to the 5-sided star fruits. Carambola fruits are in their prime when they ripen on the tree to a yellow-orange color. Enjoy this sweet star fruit variety fresh, in combination with other fruits and desserts, or as a garnish for tropical-themed dishes.