Grosella, Otaheite gooseberry

They are a tropical plant. It can grow in the hot humid tropical lowlands. They suit areas with a seasonal dry period. In Nepal it grows up to 250 m altitude. They are widely distributed near towns and sometimes cultivated for the edible fruit. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.
Also known as:
Amla, Arinelli, Aura, Bai mak nyom, Bangkiling, Ceremoi, Cermai, Chalmeri, Chermai, Chum ruot, Goambili, Gooseberry Tree, Groselha, Grosella, Grosellero, Harfaruri, Harphareuri, Holpholi, Hor bori, Iba, Indian gooseberry, Kantuet, Kanturk srok, Kawl-sun-hlu, Lewathai, Ma yom, Mak-hkam-sang-paw, Mak nkom, Mak nyom, Malay apple, Malay gooseberry, Manzana lora, Mayom, Nelli, Nellipuli, Orbori, Orboroi, Peras, Pom lokhi, Pora amlokhi, Star gooseberry, Takeri thelu, Takiri thelu, Thinbaw-zibyu
Synonyms
- Averrhoa acida L.
- Cicca acida (Linn.) Merr.
- Cicca acidissima Blanco
- Cicca disticha L.
- Cicca nodiflora Lam.
- Phyllanthus acidissimus (Blanco) Muell.Arg.
- Phyllanthus cicca Muell. Arg.
- Phyllanthus distichus (L.) Mull. Arg.
Edible Portion
- Fruit, Leaves, Vegetable
Where does Grosella grow?
Found in: Africa, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Brazil, Cambodia, Caribbean, Central America, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, El Salvador, Ghana, Guam, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mariana Islands, Marquesas, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Uganda, United States, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies
Notes: There are about 600-800 Phyllanthus species. They are mostly in the tropics. Fruit are very acid. There are 200 Phyllanthus species in tropical America. These were previously in the Euphorbiaceae.
Status: They are not the most popular fruit and are often left unused. The fruit are sold in markets.
Growing Grosella, Otaheite gooseberry
Cultivation: Trees can be grown from seed. Trees can be grown by cleft grafting. They can also be grown from cuttings and air layering.
Edible Uses: The fruit is used cooked in preserves and pies. They are too sour to be eaten fresh. They are good for processing into pickles. They are used as a tamarind substitute to sour dishes. The leaves are eaten as a vegetable. They are also used in chutney.
Production: It is fast growing. Trees produce after about 4 years. Fruiting occurs throughout the year. Fruit mature in 90-100 days.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portionEdible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fruit | 37 | 1 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 8 | - | 91.4 |
Grosella, Otaheite gooseberry Photos
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