Life Span
Perennial
  
Perennial
  
Type
Shrub
  
Fruit
  
Origin
United States, Southeastern United States, South-Central United States, Texas, Mexico
  
Southeastern Asia
  
Types
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Habitat
Cultivated Beds
  
Subtropical climates, Tropical regions
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
8-11
  
10-14
  
AHS Heat Zone
11-7
  
11-5
  
Sunset Zone
H1, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
H1, H2, 22, 23, 24
  
Habit
Upright/Erect
  
Arching/Fountain-shaped
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
Red, Magenta, Orange Red
  
Pink, Rose, Violet
  
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
  
Bicolor
  
Fruit Color
Brown, Red
  
Yellow, Orange, Light Yellow, Lemon yellow, Yellow green, Gold
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Blue Green
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Blue Green
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Blue Green
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Not Available
  
Light Green
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Arrowhead
  
Oblovate
  
Thorns
Yes
  
No
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
  
Spring, Summer, Fall
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Growth Rate
Fast
  
Slow
  
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral
  
Soil Drainage
Well drained
  
Average
  
Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
  
Early Spring, Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
  
Repeat Bloomer
No
  
Yes
  
Tolerances
Drought
  
Frost
  
Where to Plant?
Ground, Pot
  
Ground
  
How to Plant?
Seedlings
  
Seedlings, Stem Planting
  
Plant Maintenance
Medium
  
Low
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs
  
Average Water Needs, Requires watering in the growing season
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Lots of watering
  
In Spring
Moderate
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Average Water
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral
  
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
  
Average
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Prune in winter, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves
  
Fertilizers
Apply 10-10-10 amount
  
Fertilize every year
  
Pests and Diseases
No serious insect or disease problems
  
Red blotch
  
Plant Tolerance
Drought
  
Drought
  
Flowers
Showy
  
Showy
  
Flower Petal Number
Single
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
Yes
  
Yes
  
Edible Fruit
No
  
Yes
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
No
  
Yes
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
Yes
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
Yes
  
No
  
Showy Bark
No
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Medium
  
Medium
  
Foliage Sheen
Matte
  
Glossy
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
Yes
  
Yes
  
Attracts
Hummingbirds
  
Birds, Butterflies
  
Allergy
Toxic
  
Kidney Stone
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Borders
  
Not Used For Aesthetic Purpose
  
Beauty Benefits
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Edible Uses
Yes
  
Yes
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification
  
Air purification, Food for birds, Food for insects, Nesting sites for birds, Prevent Soil Erosion
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
Antiemetic, Diuretic, Purgative, Tonic
  
Anti-oxidant, Antioxidants, High blood pressure, Nutrients
  
Part of Plant Used
Flowers, Leaves
  
Fruits, Seeds
  
Other Uses
Used as a general tonic, Used as a rat poison, Used as a vegetable
  
Oil is used in perfume, soaps, creams, etc., Used As Food, Used for its medicinal properties
  
Used As Indoor Plant
No
  
No
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Wildflower
  
Edible, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Tropical
  
Botanical Name
ERYTHRINA herbacea
  
AVERRHOA carambola
  
Common Name
Red cardinal, Cardinal spear
  
Carambola, Starfruit
  
In Hindi
Red Cardinal
  
carambola पेड़
  
In German
Red Cardinal
  
Sternfrucht Baum
  
In French
Cardinal rouge
  
arbre carambole
  
In Spanish
Cárdenas
  
árbol de carambola
  
In Greek
κόκκινο Καρδινάλιος
  
carambola δέντρο
  
In Portuguese
Cardeal vermelho
  
árvore de carambola
  
In Polish
Red Cardinal
  
karambola drzewo
  
In Latin
Cardinalis Rubrum
  
carambola ligno
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
  
Tracheophyta
  
Class
Magnoliopsida
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Fabales
  
Oxalidales
  
Family
Fabaceae
  
Oxalidaceae
  
Genus
Erythrina
  
Averrhoa
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Tribe
Phaseoleae
  
Not Available
  
Subfamily
Faboideae
  
Not Available
  
Number of Species
Not Available