Carambolas have been cultivated in southeast Asia for centuries. Now it is a very popular fruit in the tropics. The Carambola tree is slow-growing, short-trunked with a much-branched, bushy, broad, rounded crown and reaches 20 to 30 ft (6-9 m) in height. The fruit has a distinctive 5- or 6- angle cylindrical shape about 3 to 5 inches long, thin skinned, and when it is ready to be eaten, this juicy fruit will change its color from green to cream to various shades of yellow and orange.