Abstract

Phyllanthus emblica Linn. (Euphorbiaceae, syn Emblica officinalis Gaertn, vern. Amla, Nelli) is a 10-15 m tall tree, common in tropical deciduous forests of South Asia. It flowers during March-April and has an extended fruiting period from October to March. The fruit is globose (15-33 mm), greenish-yellow and drupaceous, encasing a hard stony endocarp that on drying dehisces to release six kidney-shaped seeds (4-6 mm; Figure 1). The P. emblica fruit, one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C1, is edible and is used in pickle, hair-oil and traditional medicine. It is among India’s most important non-timber forest produce (NTFP).