Leaf-Blossum
Phyllanthus urinaria

Family: Phyllanthaceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 10-30 cm high. The leaves are simple and alternate. They are 6-12 mm long by 4-6 mm wide The male flowers are in clusters in the axils of leaves. The female flowers occur singly in the lower axils. The flowers are green and cream. The fruit have 6 shallow lobes. The fruit are 2.5 mm across.

The plant is characteristically diuretic, due to the presence of large quantities of potash. It has anticancer properties. There are about 750 Phyllanthus species. They are mostly in the tropics.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows near river flats and on alluvial soil. It grows along the sides of marshy areas. In Fiji it grows from sea level up to 1,130 m altitude. In China it grows in dry fields and on the edges of forests between 100-600 m above sea level. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, American Samoa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Cambodia, Central America, China, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Puerto Rico, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked and eaten with oil and salt.

It is sold in local markets in China.

Edible parts

Leaves, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chakpa-heikru, Cho de, Choi aei, Chuosh-engchuan, Gripe weed, Hazarmani, Keezhamelli, Meyyalunboa, Mye-shit-sha, Mye-ziphyu, Shatterstone, Sohlhu, Yajinlong, Zhu zai cao

Synonyms

Diasperus urinaria (L.) Kuntze; Phyllanthus alatus Blume; Phyllanthus cantoniensis Hornem.; and others