Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Southeastern Asia
Southern Africa
Types
Starfruit
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Habitat
Subtropical climates, Tropical regions
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-14
10-12
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 22, 23, 24
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Arching/Fountain-shaped
Twisted/Contorted
Flower Color
Pink, Rose, Violet
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Yellow, Orange, Light Yellow, Lemon yellow, Yellow green, Gold
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Light Green
Green
Leaf Shape
Oblovate
Succulent
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Average
Well drained
Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
Late Spring
Tolerances
Frost
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Low
Low
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Requires watering in the growing season
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
In Summer
Lots of watering
Ample Water
In Spring
Moderate
Less Watering
In Winter
Average Water
Less Watering
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Average
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Prune in winter, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Fertilizers
Fertilize every year
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Medium
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Attracts
Birds, Butterflies
Butterflies
Aesthetic Uses
-
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
-
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Food for birds, Food for insects, Nesting sites for birds, Prevent Soil Erosion
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Medicinal Uses
Anti-oxidant, Antioxidants, High blood pressure, Nutrients
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Fruits, Seeds
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Oil is used in perfume, soaps, creams, etc., Used As Food, Used for its medicinal properties
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Used As Indoor Plant
No
Yes
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Edible, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Tropical
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
AVERRHOA carambola
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Carambola, Starfruit
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
carambola पेड़
Elephant Bush
In German
Sternfrucht Baum
Elephant Bush
In French
arbre carambole
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
árbol de carambola
elefante Bush
In Greek
carambola δέντρο
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
árvore de carambola
elefante de Bush
In Polish
karambola drzewo
Elephant Bush
In Latin
carambola ligno
bush elephant
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Embryophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Oxalidales
Caryophyllales
Family
Oxalidaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Averrhoa
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Subfamily
-
Portulacarioideae
Importance of Carambola and Elephant Bush
Want to have the most appropriate plant for your garden? You might want to know the importance of Carambola and Elephant Bush. Basically, these two plants vary in many aspects. Compare Carambola and Elephant Bush as they differ in many characteristics such as their life, care, benefits, facts, etc. Every gardener must at least have the slightest clue about the plants he wants to plant in his garden. Compare their benefits, which differ in many ways like facts and uses. The medicinal use of Carambola is Anti-oxidant, Antioxidants, High blood pressure and Nutrients whereas of Elephant Bush is Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation and Sore throat. Carambola has beauty benefits as follows: while Elephant Bush has beauty benefits as follows: .
Compare Facts of Carambola vs Elephant Bush
How to choose the best garden plant for your garden depending upon its facts? Here garden plant comparison will help you to solve this query. Compare the facts of Carambola vs Elephant Bush and know which one to choose. As garden plants have benefits and other uses, allergy is also a major drawback of plants for some people. Allergic reactions of Carambola are Kidney Stone whereas of Elephant Bush have respectively. Having a fruit bearing plant in your garden can be a plus point of your garden. Carambola has showy fruits and Elephant Bush has no showy fruits. Also Carambola is not flowering and Elephant Bush is not flowering . You can compare Carambola and Elephant Bush facts and facts of other plants too.