Bark
Bark greyish-brown, rough, exfoliating in irregular patches; inner bark reddish-brown.
Phyllanthus emblica
Syn. Emblica officinalis
IUCN Red List
Least Concern
(LC)
Local name
- Indian Gooseberry (English)
- Aanvla (Hindi)
- Amla (Gujarati)
Tree type
Evergreen
Deciduous
Family: Phyllanthaceae
18m
Indicated uses
Medicinal
Edible
Ornamental
Avenue
Other
Flowering & fruiting
Flowering
Fruiting
Key characters
Leaves
Numerous small simple leaves arranged distichously on branchlets giving a false appearance of pinnate leaves; leaf blades linear-oblong, light green.
Flower
Small greenish-yellow unisexual flowers in axillary clusters; blooming usually during February–March.
Fruit / Seeds
Globular smooth berry, light greenish-yellow, shiny; contains 6 distinct vertical grooves when mature. Hard woody seeds.
Did you know?
It is known as Amalaki or Dhatri, meaning “mother” or “nurse,” highly valued in Ayurveda. It is a key ingredient in traditional formulations such as Chyawanprash and Triphala.
Distribution
Tropical & Subtropical Asia, Trinidad-Tobago, Windward Is.