Otaheite gooseberry

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cicca acida
• Diasperus acidissimus
• Phyllanthus acidissimus
• Phyllanthus distichus f. nodiflorus
• Phyllanthus longifolius
• Tricarium cochinchinense
• Cicca acidissima
• Cicca disticha
• Cicca nodiflora
• Cicca racemosa
• Averrhoa acida
• Phyllanthus cicca
• Phyllanthus cicca var. bracteosa
• Averrhoa frondosa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Phyllanthus acidus, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Malpighiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Phyllanthaceae and falls under the genus Phyllanthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several distinct regions of the African continent. In the Macaronesian islands, it can be found growing in Cape Verde. Moving to the mainland, it is distributed throughout West Tropical Africa, specifically in Guinea-Bissau. Its range extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, where it is present in Gabon and the DR Congo. Finally, the species reaches into East Tropical Africa, with documented occurrences in Tanzania.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Phyllanthus acidus is characterized by its ability to inhabit diverse environments, frequently occurring within anthropic areas (Área Antrópica) where human activity and land modification shape its distribution. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal adaptability, spanning an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL. Based on documented observations, the plant maintains a mean elevation of 1088 m AMSL, indicating its capacity to thrive across a significant vertical gradient from coastal lowlands to mid-elevation terrains.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1088 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Life history

The life history of Phyllanthus acidus is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its stem system well above the ground, often growing into a substantial tree-like structure, though it can also be categorized under the nanophanerophyte life form depending on its specific growth stage or environmental constraints. The plant exhibits a deciduous habit, undergoing seasonal foliage shedding as part of its biological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Phyllanthus acidus is characterized by a woody growth form that primarily manifests as a tree, though it can also exhibit shrub-like qualities. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it act as an epiphyte, remaining strictly terrestrial in its habitat. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior. The plant typically reaches an average height of approximately 7 m, maintaining a robust, woody structure throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

7 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Phyllanthus acidus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle to fix atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme Rubisco. As a non-nitrogen-fixing species, the plant lacks the specialized symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; consequently, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to satisfy its nutritional requirements for amino acid and protein synthesis.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Phyllanthus acidus is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying on living organisms rather than abiotic factors to facilitate the transfer of pollen. This biological process is primarily driven by insect activity, where various small invertebrates play a crucial role in the fertilization cycle. Specifically, the plant exhibits a specialized interaction with bees, which act as effective pollinators by moving between the small, inconspicuous flowers. This reliance on biotic vectors, particularly the targeted movements of bees and other insect species, ensures the successful genetic exchange necessary for seed production and the continuation of the species.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Phyllanthus acidus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Bioorganic chemistry

Chemicals

Phyllanthus acidus has 20 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ascorbic acid, Ash, CALCIUM, FAT, Flavonoid.

ascorbic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Scientific reports

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Flavonoid

1. Planta

Hypogallic acid

1. Molecular pharmacology

Hypophyllanthin

1. Pharmaceutical biology

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke

POTASSIUM

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Phyllanthus acidus has 211 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hepatoprotective, Hypoglycemic, Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic.

Hepatoprotective

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hypoglycemic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiAGE

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCFS

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Phyllanthus acidus has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Staphylococcus aureus, asthma, bronchitis, cancer, cystic fibrosis.

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Asthma

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Bronchitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cancer

1. Natural products and bioprospecting

Cystic fibrosis

1. Molecular pharmacology

Rheumatism

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Phyllanthus acidus has 4 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include edible vegetables, herbal extracts, methanolic extracts, water infusions.

Edible vegetables

1. Bioorganic chemistry

Herbal extracts

1. Molecular pharmacology

Methanolic extracts

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Water infusions

1. Bioorganic chemistry