Star gooseberry (Otaheite gooseberry, ma-yom) Phyllanthus acidus
Star gooseberry (Otaheite gooseberry, ma-yom) (Phyllanthus acidus) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Phyllanthaceae family, native to Uncertain (probably Madagascar); cultivated since early times across South and Southeast Asia. It grows 2–9 m (6.6–30 ft) tall and 2–5 m (6.6–16 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 4 m (13 ft) apart.
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Star gooseberry (Otaheite gooseberry, ma-yom) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Phyllanthaceae |
| Mature height | 2–9 m (6.6–30 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–5 m (6.6–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 4 m (13 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | about 156–209 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: fruit (sour; raw with salt and chilli, pickled, preserves), young leaves (cooked) |
| Native to | Uncertain (probably Madagascar); cultivated since early times across South and Southeast Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇮🇳 India, 🇧🇷 Brazil |
Is Star gooseberry (Otaheite gooseberry, ma-yom) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: bark, root, seeds
The fruit is widely eaten; the bark, root and seeds are strongly purgative and the sap is reported as poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Star gooseberry (Otaheite gooseberry, ma-yom)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Star gooseberry (Otaheite gooseberry, ma-yom)
- How far apart should I plant Star gooseberry (Otaheite gooseberry, ma-yom)?
- About 4 m (13 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–5 m (6.6–16 ft).
- Does Star gooseberry (Otaheite gooseberry, ma-yom) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Star gooseberry (Otaheite gooseberry, ma-yom) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Star gooseberry (Otaheite gooseberry, ma-yom)?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Star gooseberry (Otaheite gooseberry, ma-yom) flower?
- About 156–209 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks.
- Is Star gooseberry (Otaheite gooseberry, ma-yom) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. The fruit is widely eaten; the bark, root and seeds are strongly purgative and the sap is reported as poisonous.
- What grows well with Star gooseberry (Otaheite gooseberry, ma-yom)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Star gooseberry (Otaheite gooseberry, ma-yom). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- PROSEA: Plant Resources of South-East Asia, PROSEA Foundation, Bogor
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: needs warm nights all year; in a frosty climate grow it under glass or as a summer container plant.
- Pinnate-looking leafy twigs at the branch tips; ribbed, pale-yellow fruits crowd the bare older branches in dense clusters.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Amla (Indian gooseberry) Phyllanthus emblica
- Burmese grape (ma-fai) Baccaurea ramiflora
- Bignay (mao luang) Antidesma bunius
- Katuk (sweet leaf, phak wan ban) Breynia androgyna
- Masuku (wild loquat, mahobohobo) Uapaca kirkiana
- Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa
- Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
- Dwarf apple tree Malus domestica