Amla Plant – Description
Botanical Name: Phyllanthus emblica (also known as Emblica officinalis)
Common Names: Amla, Indian Gooseberry, Nellikai (Tamil), Amalaki (Sanskrit), Usirikaya (Telugu), Awla (Hindi)
Family: Phyllanthaceae
Native To: India and Southeast Asia
🌳 General Description:
Amla is a medium-sized deciduous tree known for its small, round, greenish-yellow fruits that are extremely rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants. It is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine, culinary recipes, and health supplements.
🌿 Botanical Features:
Height: 8–18 meters (26–60 feet)
Trunk: Crooked, with light grey bark that exfoliates in thin flakes
Leaves:
Small, thin, and linear
Resemble pinnate leaves but are actually simple leaves arranged on branchlets
Flowers:
Small, greenish-yellow
Appear in clusters in leaf axils, usually during spring to early summer
Fruits:
Round, smooth, and slightly ribbed
Green to yellow-green when mature
Taste is sour, astringent, and slightly bitter
🌞 Growing Conditions:
Sunlight: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained sandy loam to clay loam; tolerates poor soils
Water: Drought-tolerant once established; needs regular watering when young
Climate: Tropical and subtropical; withstands high temperatures and light frost
Propagation: By seeds, grafting, or budding (grafted plants bear fruit faster)
🌰 Seed and Propagation:
Seed Germination: 10–15 days; pre-soaking recommended
Alternate Methods: Budding and grafting preferred for maintaining fruit quality
Spacing: 5–8 meters between trees
🍏 Uses:
Medicinal:
Rejuvenative (Rasayana in Ayurveda)
Used for improving digestion, immunity, skin, and hair health
Ingredient in Chyawanprash, Triphala, and hair oils
Culinary:
Consumed raw, pickled, or as candy, juice, or dried powder
Nutritional:
Exceptionally high in Vitamin C
Contains polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids
🌿 Notable Characteristics:
Fruit-Bearing Age: 4–5 years for seedlings, 2–3 years for grafted plants
Harvest Time: November to February (depending on region)
Lifespan: Can live and produce fruit for over 50 years
Pests/Disease: Generally hardy, low pest incidence
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