Common Name: Gooseberry Tree

General Information

Phyllanthus acidus is a deciduous tree with an open, sparingly branched, spreading crown; it can grow about 6 - 9 metres tall. The short bole can be 15cm in diameter[].
The tree is occasionally cultivated as a garden plant in tropical areas for its fruit and as an ornamental[, ]. The fruit is sometimes sold in local markets[].

Known Hazards

The juice of the root bark is weakly poisonous[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - northeastern Brazil.

Habitat

Coastal forest[] and dry limestone woodlands[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	7.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Gooseberry tree grows well in the tropics at low and medium altitudes in places with a short or prolonged dry season. It prefers hot, humid tropical lowlands. It flourishes from sea-level up to an altitude of 1,500 - 1,800 metres[]. The temperature range for growth is reported to be 14 - 35°c with the optimum between 20 - 29°c[]. The annual rainfall range for growth is reported to be 700 - 4,200mm with the optimum between 1,500 - 2,500mm[].
Requires a position in full sun or part day shade, but is undemanding as to soil requirements[]. Grows well in dry areas[]. Prefers growing in a moist site[], though established plants are drought tolerant[].
A widely cultivated fruit crop and ornamental, the plant sometimes escapes from cultivation and becomes naturalized. There are some reports that it can become invasive[].
Seedlings grow rapidly and can bear fruits when only 2 - 3 years old[].
The plant can flower and produce some fruit through much of the year, although there are generally two periods a year when fruit is produced plentifully[].
Flowers are borne in clusters composed of male, female or hermaphrodite flowers[].
The fruits often explosively dehisce dispersing their seeds[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. The mature fruits may be eaten fresh but usually they are sprinkled with salt to neutralize the acidity[]. Rich in vitamin C with a very acid flavour, it is more usually used in relishes or chutneys, or cooked as a flavouring in desserts[, , ]. The fruit is sometimes used as a substitute for tamarind[]. The fruit is yellow when fully ripe but turns red upon cooking[]. The fruit is about 20mm in diameter[].

Leaves - cooked as a vegetable[]. Neutral or mild in flavour, but somewhat fibrous[].

Medicinal

The root is an active purgative[]. An infusion of the root is taken to alleviate asthma[].
An extract from the root is used to cure skin diseases especially to bring relief from itching[].

The leaves are used as one of the ingredients in a Thai remedy to control fevers[]. A leaf decoction is applied to urticaria[]. An infusion of the leaves is used as a dieting aid for people who are dieting and wish to remain slim[].

The latex is credited with emetic and purgative activity[].

The bark is heated with coconut oil and spread on eruptions on feet and hands[]. A decoction of the bark is used to treat bronchial catarrh[].

The fruit is used as a laxative[]. They are also taken as a liver tonic to enrich the blood[].
The juice of the fruit is instilled in the eyes to treat eye-troubles[].

The seeds are cathartic[].

Other Uses

The bark is used in India as a tanning agent[].

An extract from the plant has shown nematicidal activity against the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus[].

The reddish-brown wood is fine-grained; of moderate weight; fairly hard; strong; tough; and durable if seasoned. It takes a good polish. Seldom available in any but small sizes, it can be used for utensils and other small objects[, , ].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - easily germinated, it is the most common way of propagating the plant[].
Greenwood cuttings.
Budding.
Air layering.

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