Phyllanthus brasiliensis subsp. brasiliensis
Phyllanthus brasiliensis subsp. brasiliensis, commonly known as the "stonebreaker" plant, is a versatile medicinal herb valued in traditional medicine. Renowned for its bioactive properties, it is frequently used to support kidney health and assist in breaking down renal calculi. This resilient species offers significant potential for pharmacological research.
- Scientific name: Phyllanthus brasiliensis subsp. brasiliensis
- Family: Phyllanthaceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Malpighiales and the family Phyllanthaceae. Finally, its taxonomic position is completed by its assignment to the genus Phyllanthus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Phyllanthaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Phyllanthus | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is distributed across several key regions within the Caribbean and Northern South America. In the Caribbean, its range encompasses the Leeward Islands as well as the Windward Islands. It is also documented to grow within the nation of Trinidad and Tobago. Moving to the mainland, the species can be found throughout Guyana. Finally, its geographical footprint extends into the territory of French Guiana.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Caribbean | Leeward Is. | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Trinidad-Tobago | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Windward Is. | WCVP |
| Northern South America | French Guiana | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Guyana | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Suriname | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Venezuela | WCVP |
| Western South America | Bolivia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Colombia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Ecuador | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Phyllanthus brasiliensis subsp. brasiliensis, is characterized by its specific morphological features used in traditional medicine. The most prominent components are its small, green leaves, which are arranged in a pinnate fashion along the stems to maximize sunlight absorption. When harvesting for medicinal purposes, practitioners often collect the entire aerial parts of the plant, including the stems and foliage, as these above-ground structures contain the concentrated bioactive compounds required for therapeutic use.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Phyllanthus brasiliensis subsp. brasiliensis has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antiprotozoal.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiprotozoal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |