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Narakoli

Local Name	:	Narakoli
Botanical Name	:	Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels
Common Name	:	Star gooseberry
Family	:	Phyllanthaceae
Distribution	:	Found throughout India including Odisha. It is native to tropical regions of Asia, including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Habit	:	Small tree
Short Description	:	It is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree having edible fruit. It typically grows up to 9 meters tall and features pinnate leaves and small, pinkish-white flowers.

Descriptions

It is a small tree to medium sized tree with bushy crown. Leaves are small, simple, entire, and arranged alternately along the branches. They are ovate to ovate-lanceolate in shape. Flowers are small, inconspicuous, and unisexual. They are typically greenish yellow to yellowish-green in color. Fruit is a berry, small, oblate, and densely clustered. They are pale yellow or white, waxy, crisp, and juicy, and very sour.

Flowering & Fruiting Period

February-April

Use(s)

It is cultivated for its edible fruits. An infusion of the root is taken to alleviate asthma and fruits are used in constipation.