Phyllantus acidus

Otaheite gooseberry, and emblic

Family Euphorbiaceae

Phyllantus acidus (P. acidus 1), and Phyllantus emblica, the otaheite gooseberry and emblic, are shrubs or small trees, native to Asia, with leaves in two ranks, the shoots resembling pinnate leaves; and inconspicuous flowers in dense clusters.

Use
Both species are cultivated in many parts of the tropics for their fleshy acid fruits, which are eaten boiled, fresh with sugar, or pickled. The fruits of Phyllantus acidus (P. acidus 2) are yellow, 2-2.5 cm across, those of Phyllantus emblica are red, about 5 cm large. Both fruits have longitudinal ribs.

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