Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn.
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Description
Phyllanthus amarus is a small annual herbaceous plant, usually 20–60 cm tall, with a slender erect to ascending stem. The plant has a characteristic phyllanthoid branching pattern, where lateral branches resemble compound leaves. Stems are green, smooth, and often reddish near the base. Leaves are simple, small, alternate, and distichously arranged on flattened lateral branchlets, giving the appearance of pinnate leaves. Individual leaves are elliptic to oblong, usually 5–15 mm long, with entire margins, rounded apex, and thin texture. Stipules are small and triangular. Flowers are small, unisexual, actinomorphic, and borne in the axils of leaves on the lower side of branchlets. Male flowers are numerous and occur toward the upper portion of branches, while female flowers are usually solitary and located near the base. Flowers are greenish-white with five perianth segments. The ovary is superior and trilocular. Fruits are small smooth globose capsules, about 2–3 mm wide, which split into three valves at maturity. Seeds are triangular, brown, and longitudinally ridged.
Diagnostic Characters
Distribution
Native range: Native to Tropical Asia, Tropical Africa.
In Pakistan: Widely distributed in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Tropical regions worldwide. In Pakistan, commonly found in Agricultural fields, Moist wastelands, Gardens.
Phenology
Ethnobotany & Uses
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Where it grows on campus
Taxonomic Notes
Phyllanthus amarus belongs to Phyllanthaceae, separated from traditional Euphorbiaceae based on molecular phylogenetic studies.