Star Gooseberry

Phyllanthus acidus 

Beng: Noari/Nori; Hindi: Harfauri

A less known small tree about 15-20 feet, branches robust, but the leaf-bearing twigs, that grow towards end of branches are slender on which 1-2 ½ ‘’ long pointy leaves grow. It is exceedingly difficult to realize that the leaves are simple (twigs look like midrib of a feather compound leaf). The fruits, often found in dense masses, look like amla, but they have prominent ribs.

Bark: rough, grey, with prominent lenticels.

Leaf: 1- 2 ½ ‘’ long arranged alternately along the twigs, leaf-stalk small, base roundish and tip pointy and somewhat tapering, .

Flower: Blooms along the stouter branches the minute pink reddish-brown (male), or greenish (female) in slender crowded clusters

Fruit: Large drupe (up to 1’’ long), round, ribbed, pale green or whitish, often hang in dense masses.

Season: The trees flower mostly in the hot weather and produce ripe fruits in the early part of the rains. Sometimes, it produces a second crop of fruits later in the year.

Range/habitat: Scientists suggest this species originated in Madagascar. Over millennia, it has be cultivated almost all over the moist tropical region including India.

Where to Find: In Rabindra sarobar, Kolkata there is a tree inside Safari Park, on the path towards the public toilet (halfway on the left). GPS: 22.513017, 88.358566