Photos of the oldest carambola/star fruit at night vs. the daytime, exhibiting leaf movements common to Oxalis family members. The specific response here is a photonastic response, meaning that the plant is responding to light levels.
While I was researching the Star fruit/Carambola (Averrhoa carambola)to figure out how to germinate and take care of them, I learned that they were part of the Oxalis family! (Those little clover-like plants in forests that sort of taste lemony when you eat them which are also known as Wood Sorrel)
(Image: Botanical illustration of a Star fruit tree. Source: Wikipedia)
Like proper oxalis, they are rich in Oxalic Acid which makes the fruits dangerous to consume for people with kidney problems.
Many members of Oxalidacaea also have increased capacity in leaf movement as seen when oxalis is exposed to darkness vs. light, or hot conditions, and if you blow on or brush roughly against a star fruit tree the leaflets start to close up like in Mimosa pudica.
(Image: Animated .gif of a finger brunching against a Mimosa pudica plant, causing its leaves to fold. Source: Wikipedia.)
Não resisti ao ver no instagram aquela foto que tirei dela comendo uma carambola no sítio dos meus pais e comentei: “Mulher que trepa em árvore para se lambuzar de fruta é o quê?” Sem demora, ela responde: “Sua namorada, meu bem ”
