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Star gooseberry It is a deciduous fruit tree that was once common in gardens in Kerala.

It belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae and is locally known by the names Arinelli, Seemanelli and Pulinelli. Native to Madagascar, it was spread long ago to India, Southeast Asia, and Pacific Islands.

The Star gooseberry prefers tropical climate and is grown from seeds and by air layering. It grows six to nine metres in height, with spreading branches.

The branchlets bear alternate leaves that are ovate or lanceolate in form, with short petioles and pointed ends. The small rosy flowers may be male, female or hermaphrodite. The tree often bears fruit twice a year in South India, first during April-May, and then during August-September. They develop very densely to form spectacular masses giving the tree an ornamental appearance.

Fruits are pale yellow, waxy, crisp, juicy, and sour. There is only one seed in each fruit. The fruit is eaten raw and also pickled in Kerala. In Indonesia, Philippines, Surinam and Bahamas, the fruit flesh is used for flavouring dishes and for making cold drinks, syrup and vinegar. The fruit pulp cooked in sugar yields ruby-red coloured jelly.

The young leaves are cooked and eaten in Indonesia. In India, Star Gooseberry fruits are taken as liver tonic and to enrich the blood. Root poultice is applied to cure psoriasis on the soles of feet. Indigenous fruit trees like Star Gooseberry that does not require much care and attention is a boon to every household.

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