Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn.

Etymology Genus Flower leaf; as it appears to flower from a leaf like stem
Species Bitter to the taste
Family Phyllanthaceae
Synonyms -
Common Names Carry Me Seed
Status Exotic: Naturalised
Form Herb
Native Distribution USA, Mexico, and South America

Diagnostics:

Phyllanthus amarus is a very common weed that grows from lawns, cracks from concrete or scrublands. It bears erect alternate and radially arranged compound leaves, and frequently bearing more than 10 pairs of leaflets. Flowers and fruits bear at the underside of the compound leaf, along the midrib. 

It is very similar to two other congeners that share the same habitat, Phyllanthus debilis and Phyllanthus urinaria. The distinguishing features of P. amarus between them are the blunt leaflet tips, shorter leaflets in length, and flowers with 5 sepals instead of 6.


Growing out from a carpark.

Blunt and short leaflets.

Fruit capsules and flowers with 5 sepals.

References

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Author: Siyang
Posted: 2020-05-30


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