60 THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



Flowers sessile, verticillate, on the ends of several very long 

 peduncles which rise from the midst of the petioles. Calyx, 5 

 sepals. Corolla, 5 petals, clawed, rounded at the end and 

 slightly notched, forming a tube. Stamens 10, free. A small 

 gland on the outer surface of the base of each short stamen. 

 Styles 5. Seed vessels ovate, 5-angled, containing many seeds. 

 HABITAT. Common in all parts of the islands. 



Averrhoa Bilimbi, L. 



NOM. VULG. KamiaSj Kalamias, Tag.; Kilingiwa, Vis.: 

 PiaSj Hoc. 



USES. The small fruit of the camia springing from the 

 branches and trunks of the trees is widely known in the Phil- 

 ippines, where they eat it green, pickled, and in salad; and 

 when ripe fresh and preserved. Its qualities and therapeutic 

 applications are the same as those of the following species. 



BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION. A tree 4-5 meters high with 

 odd- pinnate leaves. Leaflets 12 pairs, ovate, linear, acute, soft 

 and downy. Flowers small, pinkish or purplish, on trunk and 

 branches. Stamens 10, five alternately longer. Pistils diver- 

 gent. Fruit oblong, obtuse at the end, with five broad ribs. 



HABITAT. Very common throughout the islands. 



Averrhoa Carambola, L. 



NOM. VULG. Bilimbin, BalimMn, Tag. 



USES. The common name of this tree, whose fruit is so 

 common, causes it to be confused with the name which Lin- 

 naeus gives to the former species. Balimbin is a fruit of an acid 

 taste, agreeable when ripe, serving the same uses for food as the 

 camia. Its acidity is due to the presence of oxalic acid, which 

 makes the green fruit useful for removing ink and rust stains 

 from clothes. The juice of the fruit is refreshing and is given 

 internally mixed with water and sugar as a refreshing drink in 



