The objective of this study was to describe the fruit and also study external and internal seed morphology, as well as the development of seedlings and young plants of Averrhoa carambola L. The fruit lot was divided into three categories according to fruit maturity (ripe, half ripe, unripe), and into three subcategories according to fruit size (large, intermediate and small). The parameters used to characterize the fruit were the dimensions, seed weight and color; the fruit pulp was characterized by its moisture content, total soluble solids content and pH. The external seed morphology was described by its dimensions and weight whereas the internal morphology was described by the sizes of the endosperm, the cotyledon and root-hypocotyl axes. The weight of 1000 seeds was also determined. Fruit classified as large and ripe had dimensions and a total soluble solids content similar to those mentioned in the literature, albeit with less Hunter luminosity (L), and a higher intensity of color, predominantly orange. Endosperm is the seed's nutritional reserve and contains white cotyledons with a pale green rim. Germination is epigeous, and radicle protrusion occurs 21 days after sowing. The high degree of homogeneity of the parameters studied may make them suitable for use in taxonomic studies and an analysis of germination of the species.
germination; post-seminal development; star-fruit
