Amla

Description

Enjoying an almost mythical reputation in Indian, it is said that the Amla berry came from the first tree to appear on Earth. These days it has gained a following throughout the world as a "superfruit." The bitter-sweet, but aromatic and tangy fruit are almost spherical, quite smooth, and greenish-yellow in colour with 6 vertical stripes, ripening to orange-brown in the autumn. Each fruit produces only one seed, hence the high price. It is a small to medium-sized most attractive tree with a crooked trunk and spreading branches, and greyish-green bark that peels off in flakes. The unusual flowers are greenish-yellow or pinkish with six segments, male and female flowers being carried separately on the same branch.

Sowing Advice

These seeds have already been thoroughly cleaned and should be sown into a well-drained, sandy compost at any time of the year, and covered thinly with sand or grit and kept moist. Keep at between 20-25 degrees C. Seeds sometimes germinate within 4 to 6 weeks although some may take very much longer so please be patient. Plant out in the open ground in warmer countries or in a large container elsewhere.

Key Facts