The species in the genus "Averrhoa" along with the species in genus "Sarcotheca" are the only woody, tree-like plants belonging to the Oxalis family Oxalidaceae. The Oxalis family has nearly 900 species, most are herbaceous perennials or annuals native from tropical and semitropical locations though a number also grow in other parts of the world. "Averrhoa" has sometimes been placed in the family Averrhoaceae. "Averrhoa carambola" is one of two species in the genus "Averrhoa", both have edible fruit; the other species "A. bilimbi", which is sometimes called the bilimbi or the cucumber tree, is limited to tropical regions. The fruits of "A. bilimbi" are too sour to be eaten raw, while the sweet forms of "A. carambola" are eaten raw. The fruits of "A. bilimbi" and the sour forms—which have high oxalic acid content—of "A. carambola" are pickled and made into jelly, jam, and juice.