Amla (Emblica officinalis)
Amla is a small to medium sized deciduous tree, reaching 8 to 18 m in height, which is known for its edible fruit of the same name. The tree has crooked trunk and spreading branches. The leaves are simple, nearly stalkless and closely set along slender branchlets. Amla flowers are small, greenish-yellow or pinkish. The flowers have six segments, but no real petals. The fruit is nearly spherical, light greenish yellow, quite smooth and hard on appearance, with 6 vertical stripes or furrows. Ripening in autumn. The taste of Amla is sour, bitter and astringent, and is quite fibrous.