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Cicca acida (L.) Merr.
| Family Name: | Phyllanthaceae |
| Synonyms: | Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels |
| Common Name: | Otaheite Gooseberry, Malay Gooseberry, Chermai |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Shrubby (1m-5m), Small (6m-15m)), Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 2 m to 9 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Brazil |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a shrub or small tree, 2-9 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its simple, alternately arranged, stalked leaves are ovate in shape, about 2-7 cm long, and are arranged in two ranks along the branches. |
| Flowers | Its small flowers are arranged on a panicle, up to 12cm long. |
| Fruit | Its fruits are round, lobed drupes, about 1-2.5cm, ripening pale yellow. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | The specific epithet acida is Latin for sour-tasting, referring to the taste of the fruits. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Food (Fruit or Vegetable): The fruits are eaten raw with sugar, or cooked. The young leaves are consumed as vegetable. Medicinal: The roots are used medicinally as a purgative, and used in infusions to relief asthma and various skin diseases. Others: The root bark is used in tanning. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for planting in parks and gardens for its edible fruits and bushy form. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Form |
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual & Bisexual Flowers(Sub-dioecious) |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
|---|---|
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit |
References
| References | Bouman, R. et al. (2022). A revised phylogenetic classification of tribe Phyllantheae (Phyllanthaceae). Phytotaxa 540(1): 1–100. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29360 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3669 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |