Wild types are large shrubs or small trees reaching 8–12 m (25–40 feet) tall, sometimes spiny, with glabrous, ovate deciduous leaves 3–7 cm (1–3 in) long.   It is one of the first European trees to flower in spring, often starting in mid-February before the leaves have opened.

The flowers are white or pale pink and about 2 cm (3⁄4 in) across, with five petals and many stamens.

The fruit is an edible drupe, 2–3 cm in diameter, ripening to yellow or red from early July to mid-September. They are self-fertile but can also be pollinated by other Prunus varieties such as the Victoria plum.The plant propagates by seed or by suckering, and is often used as the rootstock for other Prunus species and cultivars

The common name myrobalan can refer to several unrelated fruit-bearing plant species: Myrobalan plum (Prunus cerasifera), also called cherry plum and myrobalan plum. Emblic myrobalan (Phyllanthus emblica), also called Amla and Amalaki.

Myrobalan promotes the Peristalsis process helping you eat and digest better. Its super astringency quality maintains the integrity of your tissues and the digestive tract. It helps in the healthy secretion of mucosal membranes in the respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive systems.