Tropical Plant "Otaheite gooseberry"
Phyllanthus acidm

Characteristics - The otaheite gooseberry is an exotic fruit bearer, deciduous, occasionally cultivated in domestic orchards in the tropical regions of the country; it may have originated in Madagascar. It is a small tree, 3-8 m tall, with a close resemblance, morphologically, to the 'bilimbi' (Averrhoa bilimbis). Leaves are membranaceous, simple, glabrous on the upper surface, 2-7 cm in length, arranged on branches that look like compound, pinnate leaves. Flowering occurs in the spring, with male, female and androgynous flowers arranged on the same inflorescence (panicles of 5-12 cm) affixed in a pendulous fashion on the axiles, of the 'leaflets', of the main branches. Fruits globose, costate, ripening in the summer, with a succulent and very acid pulp.

Uses - The fruits are consumed in natura with sugar or in the form of juices.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds.