Phyllanthus emblica Linn. (Euphorbiaceae, syn Emblica officinalis Gærtn, vern. Amla, Nelli) is a 10–15 m tall tree, common in tropical deciduous forests of South Asia. It flowers during March–April and has an extended fruiting period from October to March. The fruit is globose (15–33 mm), greenish-yellow and drupaceous, encasing a hard stony endocarp that on drying dehisces to release six kidney-shaped seeds (4–6 mm; Figure 1). The P. emblica fruit, one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C1, is edible and is used in pickle, hair-oil and traditional medicine. It is among India’s most important non-timber forest produce (NTFP).