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Definition

noun

An ornamental shrub or tree in the Phyllanthaceae family of Magnoliopsida that bears clusters of edible, vertically ribbed, oblate, pale-yellow or white fruits whose acidity resembles the gooseberry.

Supplement

The plant resembles a balimbi tree in its appearance (particularly the leaves), not the gooseberry. The Otaheite gooseberry resembles a gooseberry only in the acidity of its fruit.

Scientific name: Phyllanthus acidus

Other common names:

• Malay gooseberry
• Tahitian gooseberry
• country gooseberry
• star gooseberry
• West India gooseberry
• gooseberry tree