Phyllanthus

Phyllanthus amarus

Annual herb to 60 cm high, glabrous. Stipules bristly, c. 2 mm long.

Leaves alternate, distichous, elliptic to oblong or oblanceolate, 4–12 mm long, 2–5 mm wide, margins entire, lower surface paler.

Inflorescences usually with one male and one female flower, pedicels short. Perianth segments elliptic, c. 0.5–1 mm long. Stamens 3, filaments fused into a column. Styles 3, shortly 2-fid.

Capsule 1.5–2 mm diam.; seeds pale brown, c. 1 mm long, with 5–7 concentric ridges on the sides.