Phyllanthus acidus
Thorn tree ( Phyllanthus acidus )
The thorn tree ( Phyllanthus acidus ), also known as tree gooseberry or Grosella, is a tropical and subtropical fruit tree whose fruits are processed into relishes, jellies and desserts. The origin of the species is unclear, but it is cultivated in both the New and Old World.
- 5.1 Literature
- 5.2 Notes and references
Description
The thorn tree grows shrub-like or as to ten -meter-high tree with a few spreading branches. The bark is rough and bright - to gray- brown. He loses in the dry season the leaves.
Up to 40 leaves are alternate in two rows of thin, up to 50 centimeters long branches. The leafy branches that resemble pinnate leaves are heaped at the end stronger branches. They fall as the leaves and leave on the branches leaf scars similar times. The leaf blades are 2-8 inches long and 1-4 cm wide, ovate or ovate-lanceolate acuminate and entire. The leaves are soft, young leaves are reddish and later matt light green. The lower leaf surface is hairy fluffy. The leaf stalks are 2 to 3 millimeters long. At the base of each blade are two small stipules.
Flowers
The flowers grow in abundance in up to 12 centimeters long, pendulous racemes that develop directly on leafless branches and sectors of the tribe. The flowers are very small, inconspicuous, short-stalked and greenish pink, rarely unisexual usually hermaphrodite. Petals absent, usually four sepals are imbricated. Male flowers have four stamens, female flowers usually have four staminodes, the ovary is three or vierkammerig. The tree flowers and bears fruit all year round.
Fruits
The fruits are in bunches hanging on the branches drupes. They are broad roundish, 2 inches long with diameter up to 2.7 inches. Ripe fruits are pale yellow and furrowed by five to seven constrictions along. The fruit skin is thin, smooth and translucent, the flesh firm, juicy and soft. The taste of the fruit is very acidic, aromatic and slightly astringent. Each fruit contains a roundish, about 1 centimeter, along rutted hard, yellow-brown stone core, which adheres firmly to the pulp.
Distribution and ecology
The origin of the species is unclear, it may have come from the Northeast of Brazil or from Madagascar. Today they are found cultivated worldwide in tropical and subtropical areas, particularly common in Southeast Asia, India, South Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines, Guam, Hawaii and other Pacific islands, but also in Central and South America. In Jamaica, it was introduced from Timor in 1793. Overgrown trees can also be found individually in South Florida.
The thorn tree is a less demanding and more drought resistant fruit and ornamental tree that is mostly cultivated in home gardens. Propagation is by seedlings. It grows in low altitudes, in El Salvador until about 1000 meters altitude. On the ground, the way small claims, but prefers moist soils.
Systematics and history of research
The thorn tree ( Phyllanthus acidus ) is a species of the genus Phyllanthus in the family of Phyllanthaceae. There the genus in the subfamily Phyllanthoideae the tribe Phyllantheae is assigned.
He was assigned by Linnaeus in 1753 Averrhoa acida ( basionym ) in Species Plantarum the genus cucumber trees ( Averrhoa ), 1767 in Mantissa Plantarum as Cicca disticha the genus Cicca. Cicca is no longer seen today as a separate species, but as a synonym of the genus Phyllanthus.
Use
Grosella - fruits are very acidic and rich in vitamin C. They are eaten raw or sweetened or pickled sweet and sour and spicy ingredient added as different foods ( Relish ). From sugared fruits is an aromatic syrup is extracted, the juice squeezed fruit is used for soft drinks. The fruits are processed into chutneys, jams and jellies but also dried, candied and salted used.
Young leaves can be cooked as a vegetable. The roots and bark are slightly poisonous and are used in folk medicine as a laxative and for bronchitis and psoriasis. The timber is rarely used.
In South India, the fruit is harvested twice a year from April to May and from September to October. In other areas of January is the peak harvest time.