Breynia cernua

Family: Phyllanthaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 1-2 m tall. The leaves are arranged along a twig to make them look like a compound leaf. The leaves are 25-40 cm long by 15-23 mm wide. The male flowers form a column in the centre of the flower. The fruit are 5-8 mm across.

The leaves are used as medicine. Also put in the family Euphorbiaceae. This name may be changed to Phyllanthus.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In northern Australia it grows up to 800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Timor Leste

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten.

Fruit use probably very minor.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bagbagotot, Gagilamo, Gambiran, Gamer, Gembiran, Imer, Matang-ulang, Pilpil, Pipul

Synonyms

Breynia cernua var. acutifolia (Müll.Arg.) Müll.Arg.; Breynia rubra (Blume) Müll.Arg.; Breynia rumpens J.J.Sm.; Melanthesa cernua (Poir.) Decne.; Melanthesa cernua var. acutifolia Müll.Arg.; Melanthesa rubra Blume; Phyllanthus blumei Steud.; Phyllanthus cernuus Poir.; Phyllanthus ruber Noronha [Invalid];