Phyllanthus fraternus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Moeroris fraterna
• Phyllanthus fraternus subsp. togoensis

Sources: Wikidata

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 positioned in the order Malpighiales and the family Phyllanthaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Phyllanthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range that spans across both Atlantic islands and the African mainland. Within the Macaronesian region, its presence is documented in Cape Verde. Moving to West Tropical Africa, the species can be found in the nation of Benin. Its distribution also extends to the landlocked territory of Burkina. Finally, the plant is recorded in the West African countries of Gambia and Ghana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Phyllanthus fraternus is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to inhabit a diverse range of environmental conditions. The species is capable of thriving from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1830 m AMSL. This expansive elevational range, spanning from 0 to 1830 m AMSL, suggests that the plant possesses significant ecological plasticity, enabling it to adapt to varying temperature gradients, atmospheric pressures, and moisture regimes found across different montane and lowland habitats.

Elevational range max:

1830 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Phyllanthus fraternus is characterized by an annual lifecycle, completing its entire biological process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, the plant follows a strategy where the majority of its life is spent in a seed stage, with the vegetative structure existing only temporarily during the favorable period of the year. This life form indicates that it lacks persistent above-ground stems or specialized underground storage organs, instead relying on the rapid development and eventual senescence of its annual growth to ensure the continuation of the species through seed dispersal.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Phyllanthus fraternus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, it is a relatively small species, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.44 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 0.4 m. Structurally, the plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a liana or a climbing vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.44 m

Plant height mean:

0.4 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Phyllanthus fraternus is characterized by its metabolic processes and nutrient acquisition strategies typical of many shrubs within the Phyllanthaceae family. In terms of its nitrogen economy, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms; instead, it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system. Its photosynthetic activity and energy production are driven by standard C3 metabolic pathways, facilitating the synthesis of organic compounds from carbon dioxide and water. The plant's physiological resilience is further defined by its ability to manage transpiration rates and maintain osmotic balance to survive in its specific ecological niche, utilizing specialized cellular mechanisms to regulate water potential and nutrient transport throughout its vascular tissues.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Phyllanthus fraternus has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Leaf

1. Archives of Razi Institute

Root

1. TheScientificWorldJournal

Chemicals

Phyllanthus fraternus has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Saponins, Tannins, Terpenoids, BETA-SITOSTEROL, E,E,Z-1,3,12-Nonadecatriene-5,14-diol.

Saponins

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
2. Archives of Razi Institute

Tannins

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
2. Archives of Razi Institute

Terpenoids

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
2. Archives of Razi Institute

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Die Pharmazie

E,E,Z-1,3,12-Nonadecatriene-5,14-diol

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Fatty acids

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Flavonoids

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

IBA

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Lignans

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Steroids

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Activities

Phyllanthus fraternus has 4 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antinociceptive, Antioxidant, Antiviral, Hepatoprotective.

Antinociceptive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Antiviral

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Hepatoprotective

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Medicinal Uses

Phyllanthus fraternus has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, antiviral, mitochondrial dysfunction, obesity, oxidative stress.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations