Phyllanthus emblica L.

 

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Synonym: Cicca emblica (L.) Kurz, Diasperus emblica (L.) Kuntze

Vernacular name: Amalakam,Nell, Nellikka

Habit: Tree

Habitat: Dry and moist deciduous forests, also cultivated in the plains

Distribution: Throughout the tropics , India, Himalayas, Myanmar, China, Malaysia, Nepal

Flowering and Fruiting: March-September

Key identification features: The deciduous tree has grey-brown bark. The leaves are simple, alternate, and grow in pairs on short deciduous branchlets, forming a closely overlapping pattern. The tree produces unisexual flowers, which are greenish-yellow. Fruit is a capsule which is subglobose.

Uses: The twigs are used to purify water, especially saline water. Fruit eaten by Sambar and Spotted deer. The fruit (Amla/Aonla) is highly medicinal and is edible fresh, pickled or cooked.