Emblica
/ɛmˈblɪkə/noun
A botanical name historically used for the Indian gooseberry tree, now generally treated as a synonym of the genus Phyllanthus.
Did you know?The name refers to the Indian gooseberry, or amla, a fruit central to Ayurveda and traditionally associated with vitality, longevity, and purification—not literal magic, but a long history of medicinal symbolism.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
āmalakī
“The Indian gooseberry tree; the feminine form of āmalaka.”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
āmalaka
“The fruit or tree commonly identified with the Indian gooseberry.”
18th Century
New Latin
Emblica
“A Latinized botanical genus name based on the Sanskrit name of the tree.”
19th Century
Scientific English
Emblica
“A genus name used in botanical classification, especially for Emblica officinalis.”
Modern English
English
Emblica
“A historical or taxonomic name associated with Phyllanthus emblica, the Indian gooseberry.”