Phyllanthus urinaria

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Diasperus urinaria
• Emblica urinaria

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 organized under the order Malpighiales and the family Phyllanthaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Phyllanthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Phyllanthus urinaria, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the West Tropical Africa region. It is documented to grow within the borders of Ghana, where it thrives in local ecosystems. The species is also found throughout the Ivory Coast, contributing to the area's botanical diversity. Furthermore, its presence extends into Liberia and Sierra Leone, marking a significant range in the coastal belt. Finally, the plant is well-established in Nigeria, completing its recorded presence in these West African nations.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Phyllanthus urinaria is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental settings and a broad altitudinal distribution. It thrives in a wide variety of habitats, ranging from disturbed anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) to more complex natural ecosystems, including high-altitude fields (Campo de Altitude), the Cerrado (latu sensu), riparian forests or gallery forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria), terra firme forests (Floresta de Terra Firmre), and ombrophilous/rainforests (Floresta Ombrófila). This species occupies a vertical gradient that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum elevation of 1,300 m AMSL, maintaining an average elevational range of approximately 800 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1300 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campo de Altitude, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Phyllanthus urinaria is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle from germination to seed production within a single growing season. In terms of its ecological life form, the species functions as a therophyte, surviving unfavorable environmental conditions primarily through the persistence of its seeds rather than through overwintering vegetative structures. Additionally, it can be categorized as a chamaephyte, reflecting a growth habit where the majority of the plant's biomass remains close to the soil surface, allowing it to thrive in various disturbed habitats.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Phyllanthus urinaria is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial habit. The plant typically exhibits an ascending shoot orientation and is self-supporting rather than acting as a liana or vine. In terms of stature, it is a relatively small plant, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0 m to a maximum of 1 m, maintaining a mean plant height of approximately 0.475 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.475 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Shoot orientation :

ascending

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Phyllanthus urinaria is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. Morphologically, the plant exhibits specific foliar dimensions, with leaf lengths typically averaging 0.7 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.4 cm to a maximum of 1.8 cm. The leaf width follows a similar variability, maintaining a mean of 0.35 cm, with measurements spanning from a minimum of 0.15 cm to a maximum of 0.9 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on the uptake of available nitrogen from the surrounding soil substrate to support its physiological development.

Leaf length max:

1.8 cm

Leaf length mean:

0.7 cm

Leaf length min:

0.4 cm

Leaf width max:

0.9 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.35 cm

Leaf width min:

0.15 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Phyllanthus urinaria is characterized by the production of small, yellow flowers that facilitate the development of its fruiting bodies. The resulting fruits are categorized as dry rather than fleshy, with dimensions that vary significantly, ranging from a minimum width of 0.1 cm to a maximum width of 0.2 cm, maintaining a mean width of approximately 0.15 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds exhibit highly consistent morphological properties; the seed mass is remarkably uniform, with both the mean, minimum, and maximum values recorded at 0.00026 g. The seed volume is also highly stable, with a minimum, maximum, and mean value of 0.68 mm³. In terms of physical dimensions, the seeds can reach a maximum length of 1.3 mm and a maximum width of 1 mm, ensuring efficient dispersal and establishment of the species.

Flower colour :

yellow

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit width max:

0.2 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.15 cm

Fruit width min:

0.1 cm

Seed length max:

1.3 mm

Seed mass mean:

0.00026 g

Seed volume max:

0.68 mm³

Seed width max:

1 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Phyllanthus urinaria has 3 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, stem.

Leaf

1. Journal of the science of food and agriculture
2. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Root

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
2. Journal of natural medicines

Stem

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Chemicals

Phyllanthus urinaria has 34 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Corilagin, Phyllanthin, Gallic acid, Hypophyllanthin, Geraniin.

Corilagin

1. Journal of the science of food and agriculture
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
3. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences
4. Phytotherapy research : PTR
5. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Phyllanthin

1. Planta medica
2. Journal of separation science
3. Pharmaceutical biology
4. RSC advances

Gallic acid

1. Journal of the science of food and agriculture
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
3. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Hypophyllanthin

1. Planta medica
2. Journal of separation science
3. Pharmaceutical biology

Geraniin

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

ellagic acid

1. Antiviral research
2. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

1,3,4,6-tetra-o-galloyl-beta-d-glucose

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Die Pharmazie

CALCIUM

1. Tropical biomedicine

COPPER

1. Tropical biomedicine

Activities

Phyllanthus urinaria has 3 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antiviral.

Antibacterial

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Anticancer

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antiviral

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Medicinal Uses

Phyllanthus urinaria has 27 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include HSV-1, HSV-2, cancer, chronic hepatitis B, hepatitis B virus.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations