Belimbing hutan, Kariala
Aceratium oppositifolium

Family: Elaeocarpaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

There are 20 Aceratium species. In some places the fruit of this one is very sour and inedible.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It thrives in shady places. It grows from sea level up to 300-800 m in the tropics. It is common on wet soils. It occurs in mountain forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten. It is acid so is used for jellies or pickles.

A minor wild edible fruit.

Edible parts

Fruit, vegetable

How it is grown

It is grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Kachubu, Posesi, Wungan

Synonyms

Aceratium angustifolium A.C. Sm.; Aceratium branderhorstii Schltr.; Aceratium gracile A.C. Sm.; Aceratium insulare A.C. Sm.; Aceratium versteegii Schltr.; Aceratium warenense Kaneh. & Matusima; Elaeocarpus edulis Teysm & Binn.; Elaeocarpus oppositifolius (DC) Miq.;