Phyllanthus tenellus Roxb.

Ralimanana, H. & Hoffmann, P. Kew Bull (2011) 66: 331. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-011-9294-8

Morphology General Habit

Monoecious herbs 15 – 50 cm high

Growth

Branching pinnatiform; orthotropic branches terete, striate, glabrous

Morphology Leaves Cataphylls

Cataphylls triangular, 0.5 – 1 × 0.3 – 0.5 mm, coriaceous, entire, glabrous

Morphology Branches

Plagiotropic branches solitary, terete or angular in cross section, 2 – 14 cm long, 0.3 – 0.5 mm in diam., rugose, striate, glabrous

Morphology Leaves Stipules

Stipules persistent, triangular, 0.6 – 0.9 × 0.3 – 0.5 mm, membranous, entire, glabrous Cataphyllary stipules triangular, 0.4 – 0.8 × 0.2 – 0.5 mm, subcoriaceous, entire, glabrous

Morphology Stem

Internodes 2 – 7 mm long

Morphology Leaves Petiole

Petioles terete, 0.5 – 0.8 × 0.3 mm, glabrous

Morphology Leaves

Leaf blades elliptic or ovate, 6 – 10 × 3 – 9 mm, 2 × longer than wide, attenuate at the base, obtuse at the apex, membranous, entire, glabrous on both sides; midvein prominent on both sides; secondary veins 3 – 5 pairs, slightly prominent on both sides Leaves 7 – 15 per branch

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences unisexual or bisexual, consisting of 1 or 2 male flowers (one open and the other still a bud) and 1 female flower on proximal parts of plagiotropic branch or 1 female flower on distal parts of plagiotropic branches

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts triangular, 0.1 – 0.2 × 0.1 – 0.2 mm, entire, glabrous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Male flowers 1.5 – 2 × 1.2 – 1.5 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 5, entirely free; filaments terete, 0.5 – 0.7 × c. 0.1 mm; anthers globose, c. 0.1 mm in diam. Female flowers 1.5 – 2 × 1.5 – 2 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel

Pedicels 3 – 7 × 0.1 – 0.2 mm, glabrous Pedicels 2 – 5 × c. 1 mm, glabrous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Tepal

Tepals 5, equal, ovate, 1.5 – 2 × 0.7 – 0.9 mm, obtuse, membranous, glabrous on both sides, margin entire, hyaline for 1/3 of total tepal width on each side, veins unbranched Tepals 5, equal, ovate or obovate, 1 – 1.2 × 1 – 1.5 mm, rounded or obtuse, membranous, glabrous on both sides, margin entire, hyaline for 1/8 of total tepal width on each side, veins unbranched

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Disc

Disc patelliform, lobed, c. 0.2 mm thick, smooth Disc glands 5, thin, obovate or triangular, c. 0.2 × 0.3 mm, smooth

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary 3-locular, globose, 0.3 – 0.5 × 0.3 – 0.5 mm, slightly rugose, glabrous; styles fused at the base, bifid for c. 3/4 of their length, terete, 0.2 – 0.3 mm long; stigmas acute or obtuse

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruits depressed globose or globose, 0.8 – 1.8 × 0.8 – 2 mm, glabrous; fruiting pedicels 4 – 8 × 0.1 – 0.2 mm, glabrous; tepals 1.6 – 2.2 × 0.7 – 1 mm; styles persistent or caducous; columella 0.3 – 0.5 × 0.1 – 0.2 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 0.8 – 1 × 0.8 – 1 mm, papillose.

Distribution

Pantropical weed of African origin. In Madagascar: eastern, central, western and southern floristic domains.

Ecology

Open forests, forest margins, littoral forests, fields; 0 – 2050 m.

Conservation

Least Concern (LC). Phyllanthus tenellus is common and has a large distribution area in and outside of Madagascar.