Volume 8 > Part 2 > Year 2007 > Page 477 > Euphorbiaceae > Phyllanthus

1. Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeelswfo-0000270405

U.S. Dept. Agric. Bur. Pl. Ind. Bull. 148: 17. 1909; G.L.Webster, J. Arnold Arbor. 38: 66. 1957; Backer & Bakh.f., Fl. Java 1: 467. 1963; Airy Shaw, Kew Bull. 26: 315. 1972.— Averrhoa acida L., Sp. Pl.: 428. 1753.— Cicca acida (L.) Merr., Interpr. Rumph.: 314. 1917; Enum. Philipp. Fl. Pl. 2: 396. 1923; Corner, Ways. Trees: 282. 1940. Fig. 56.

Accepted Name : This is currently accepted.

Synonyms & Citations :

Description : Tree, up to 10 m high branchlets terete, glabrous. Stipules triangular, 1–1.3 mm long. Leaves: petiole 1.5–2.5 mm long; blade ovate or oblong-ovate, 2.4–10 by 1.9–4.5 cm, chartaceous, glabrous, base obtuse, margin entire, apex acuminate and apiculate, nerves in 3–9 pairs, reticulation conspicuous on both sides. Flowers axillary in fascicles, with 2–6 staminate flowers in proximal axils; pistillate flowers cauliflorous on old branchlets, rarely in distal axils. Staminate flowers: pedicel 0.8–2 mm long; sepals 4, obovate or oblanceolate, 1–1.5 by 0.8–1.3 mm, reddish; disc glands 4, reniform or orbicular; stamens 4; filaments free, ca 5 mm long; anthers 0.3–0.5 mm long. Pistillate flowers: pedicel 0.5–3 mm long; sepals 4–6, ovate, 1.1–2 by 0.7–1.5 mm, reddish; disc glands 4–6, orbicular; rarely with 1–2 free stamens, filaments ca 1 mm long, anthers ca 0.2 mm long; ovary glabrous, 6–8-lobed; styles 3–4, 0.2–6 mm long; stigmas ca 0.1 mm long. Fruits: pedicel 2–5 mm long; fruit drupaceous, 6–8-lobed, 1.4–2.7 cm in diam., pale yellowish, 1-seeded. Seeds globose, 5–8 by 4–8 mm.

Thailand : Widely cultivated throughout the country.

Distribution : Native to probably to the coast region of NE Brazil (type?).

Ecology : Widely cultivated.

Vernacular : Mayom (มะยม).

CommonName : Star gooseberry.

Uses: Ripe fruit edible.