Star Fruit (Carambola) is a slow-growing, short-trunked evergreen tree with a much-branched, bushy canopy that is broad and rounded. Mature trees seldom exceed 25-30 feet in height and 20-25 feet in spread. Trees are very unlikely to reach this size in California. The spirally arranged, alternate leaves are 6-10 inches long. They are soft, medium-green, and smooth on the upper surface, faintly hairy and whitish on the underside. The fragrant, pink to lavender flowers are 3/8 inch in diameter and borne in clusters of leaves on young branches, or on older branches without leaves. There are several flushes of bloom throughout the year. Star Fruit grows 2-1/2 to 5 inches in length. Slices cut in cross-section are star shaped. The skin is thin, light to dark yellow and smooth with a waxy cuticle. The flesh is light yellow to yellow, translucent, crisp and very juicy, without fiber. The fruit has a more or less oxalic acid odor and the flavor ranges from very sour to mildly sweet.