Description

• Amla is a small to medium sized deciduous tree, reaching 8 to 18 m in height, which is known for its edible fruit of the same name.
• The tree has crooked trunk and spreading branches. The leaves are simple, nearly stalkless and closely set along slender branchlets.
• The leaves are often mistaken for leaflets of pinnate leaves.
• Amla flowers are small, greenish-yellow or pinkish.
• The flowers have six segments, but no real petals.
• Male and female flowers are carried separately on the same branch. The fruit is nearly spherical, light greenish yellow, quite smooth and hard on appearance, with 6 vertical stripes or furrows.

Uses   

• Fruits are edible. The fruit is an extremely rich source of ascorbic acid.
• The fruits have diuretic, laxative and purgative activities and show molluscicide and antimicrobial properties.
• Its wood is used for the construction of furniture and implements
• . Its wood is also suitable as firewood and produces charcoal of good quality.