Phyllanthus orbicularis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Diasperus orbicularis
• Orbicularia phyllanthoides
• Phyllanthus orbicularis var. ellipticus
• Orbicularia orbicularis
• Phyllanthus orbicularis var. obovatus
• Phyllanthus orbicularis var. lignescens

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales. Finally, it resides in the family Phyllanthaceae and is identified by the genus Phyllanthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is found exclusively within the diverse ecosystems of the Caribbean region. Specifically, its natural range includes the island of Cuba, where it thrives in local habitats. It is also documented to grow across the Dominican Republic, contributing to the area's botanical richness. Furthermore, the species can be located within the territory of Haiti. Finally, its geographical presence extends to Puerto Rico, completing its distribution across these islands.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Phyllanthus orbicularis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth patterns and ecological positioning, the species exhibits diverse life form classifications, manifesting as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte. This indicates that while the plant can maintain visible shoot systems above the ground, its stature is often characterized by relatively short woody stems that remain close to the substrate.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Phyllanthus orbicularis is characterized by a shrubby growth form that classifies it as a shrub within its ecological niche. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite, maintaining its own metabolic processes without relying on a host. The plant is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, growing in soil rather than acting as an epiphyte. Its physical structure is notably non-woody, lacking significant lignified tissue. Although it possesses certain climbing tendencies, it is categorized as a self-supporting climber, meaning it maintains its upright or sprawling posture through its own structural integrity rather than being an obligatory or facultative climber that relies entirely on external structures for support.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Phyllanthus orbicularis 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, stem.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Stem

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Phyllanthus orbicularis has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-Epicatechin-3-O-gallate, 1-Aminopyrene, 2-Aminoanthracene, 2-aminofluorene, Flavonoids.

(-)-Epicatechin-3-O-gallate

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

1-Aminopyrene

1. Mutation research

2-Aminoanthracene

1. Mutation research

2-aminofluorene

1. Mutation research

Flavonoids

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

m-Phenylenediamine

1. Mutation research

Activities

Phyllanthus orbicularis has 5 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiviral, Antimutagenic, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Genotoxic.

Antiviral

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Cryo letters
3. Phytotherapy research : PTR
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimutagenic

1. Toxicology and applied pharmacology
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cytotoxic

1. Toxicology and applied pharmacology

Genotoxic

1. Toxicology and applied pharmacology

Conditions

Phyllanthus orbicularis has 9 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include hydrogen peroxide, HSV-2, Hepatitis B virus, gamma-rays, hepatitis B virus.

Hydrogen peroxide

1. Mutation research
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hsv-2

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Hepatitis b virus

1. Toxicology and applied pharmacology

Gamma-rays

1. International journal of radiation biology

Hepatitis b virus

1. Revista cubana de medicina tropical

Herpes simplex virus type 2

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Mutation

1. Mutation research

Oxidative damage

1. Mutation research

Viral diseases

1. Mutation research

Preparations

Phyllanthus orbicularis has 4 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extract, P. orbicularis extracts, extracts, infusion.

Aqueous extract

1. Mutation research
2. Toxicology and applied pharmacology
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

P. orbicularis extracts

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Extracts

1. Revista cubana de medicina tropical

Infusion

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)