Amla / Indian Gooseberry

Phyllanthus emblica

Beng: Amloki Hindi: Amla

A widely known (but not common) small to mid-sized tree with small feather-like leaves which are small, narrow, closely arrange in the twigs (giving an illusion as if they are compound, like tamarind)

Bark: Grey, thin and flaking, exposing the darker brownish under-bark. The trunk is gnarled, fissured & fluted with age.

Leaf: Light green. Each leaf is up to 3’’ long, closely, and droopingly arranged in both sided of the twigs, giving a false impression as if they are feather compound.

Flower: Greenish yellow, on young twigs (usually where they are bare or under the levees) in dense clusters. The flowers are unisexual, but the male and female flowers are mingled on the same twigs, the male on short stalks; and the female closely pressed to the twig.

Fruit: Very well-known, spherical, usually about 1’’ diameter, the translucent fruits are initially green, turning yellow when ripe.

Season: The flowers appear during the hot season and the fruits ripen during the following cold weather, when the tree is usually leafless.

Range/habitat: This plant is a native of tropical and subtropical India, Sri Lanka, China, and Malaya. In Indian it is usually found in dry deciduous forests. Most likely not native to Kolkata nor it is commonly found.  

Trivia and notes: Among of the most valued items in Indian traditional medicine, used as widely as curing jaundice to improve hair growth.

Where to Find: In Rabindra sarobar there are a few young trees inside Safari Park, near the public toilet.