2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Phyllanthus emblica (Latin Phyllanthus emblica) - a species of fruit trees of the genus Phyllanthus of the Phyllantovy family. Other plant names are Indian gooseberry, amalaki, emblik, amla, gray myrobalan. The homeland of culture is Southeast Asia. Today, phyllanthus emblica is cultivated in India, Thailand, Malaysia, Pikistan, Bangladesh, China and Sri Lanka.
Characteristics of culture
Phyllanthus emblica is a deciduous tree up to 30 m high. The bark is smooth, gray-brown. The leaves are oblong, narrow, up to 2 cm long. The flowers are inconspicuous, unisexual, green, collected in racemose inflorescences located in the leaf axils. Fruits are greenish-yellow or orange, round, smooth, up to 3 cm in diameter, serrated at the base. The pulp of the fruit is juicy and crispy. The fruit contains 6 small seeds.
The fruits contain a huge amount of vitamins and other useful substances, including ascorbic acid, nicotinic acid, carotene, riboflavin, calcium, iron, etc. Phyllanthus emblica seeds contain litholytic and proteolytic enzymes, as well as essential oil. The fruits of the plant are not eaten by animals and birds, they are well stored and transported.
The subtleties of reproduction and cultivation
Unfortunately, very little is known about the cultivation of this miraculous fruit crop. Phyllanthus emblica is propagated by seeds, but it is almost impossible to find them on sale. Most gardeners bring young trees from warm countries where this crop is grown. Rooting by cuttings is possible, but it does not give a 100% guarantee.
Phyllanthus emblica is very demanding to soil conditions; it grows well only on loamy soils with the addition of sand and peat. A substrate made up of humus, loam and perlite (or vermiculite) is not prohibited. The plant has a positive attitude towards penumbra; it does not need intense lighting. The optimum temperature for growing at home is 26-28C in summer and 15-18C in winter.
Crop care mainly consists of regular and abundant watering. The soil during the period of active growth should always be moistened, but without stagnant water. With insufficient watering, the plants begin to dry out, as a result of which the leaves are deformed and wrinkled or pulled together along the central vein. Indoor emblika needs frequent fertilizing with mineral fertilizers (at least 1 time in 2 weeks).
Application
Phyllanthus emblica fruits are used for the preparation of various drinks and juices, confectionery, jam, jams, jellies, as well as marinades, sauces and hot seasonings. The fruits have a bitter taste, to get rid of it, they are soaked in a special brine or unripe mango or citrus fruits are added.
Emblica is also used in folk medicine. In combination with other fruits and products, it provides an incredibly amazing healing effect. Infusions and medicinal pastilles from fruits are used in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, diarrhea, hemorrhage, diabetes mellitus and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Phyllanthus emblica is also used in cosmetology; various creams and masks for the body, face and hair are made from the fruits.
