Phyllanthus virgatus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Diasperus virgatus
• Phyllanthus simplex var. gracillimus
• Cathetus simplex
• Cathetus beckleri
• Phyllanthus simplex var. oblongifolius
• Phyllanthus trachygyne
• Macraea oblongifolia
• Phyllanthus simplex var. brevipes
• Phyllanthus conterminus
• Cathetus virgatus
• Melanthesa rupestris
• Phyllanthus weinlandii
• Melanthesa anceps
• Cathetus filicaulis
• Phyllanthus simplex var. filicaulis
• Phyllanthus simplex subvar. leiospermus
• Phyllanthus simplex
• Cathetus narayanswamii
• Phyllanthus simplex var. leiospermus
• Phyllanthus simplex var. myriocladus
• Phyllanthus simplex var. myrtifolius
• Phyllanthus simplex var. pinifolius
• Phyllanthus simplex var. pratensis
• Phyllanthus filicaulis
• Phyllanthus eboracensis
• Phyllanthus narayanswamii
• Phyllanthus pratensis
• Phyllanthus beckleri
• Diasperus pedunculatus
• Diasperus depressus
• Diasperus conterminus
• Diasperus beckleri
• Macraea ovalifolia

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Malpighiales and the family Phyllanthaceae. Finally, it is specifically categorized under the genus Phyllanthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across several key regions in East Asia. In China, its distribution is widespread, covering the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast territories. It is also specifically documented to grow on the island of Hainan. Beyond mainland China, the species can be found within the Nansei-shoto islands. This diverse range highlights its adaptability to various environments across the eastern part of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Phyllanthus virgatus is characterized by its ability to inhabit diverse altitudinal gradients, demonstrating significant adaptability to varying mountain terrains. This species thrives across a broad vertical distribution, ranging from low-lying areas at a minimum elevation of 200 m AMSL to high-altitude environments reaching a maximum of 1800 m AMSL. On average, the plant is most commonly encountered at a mean elevation of 1350 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-to-high altitude ecological niches. This wide elevational range indicates that the species can tolerate a variety of microclimates, temperature shifts, and atmospheric pressures associated with changing topographic levels.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1350 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Phyllanthus virgatus is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process—from germination and vegetative growth to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season. In terms of its structural adaptation to its environment, it is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the permanent buds are located close to the soil surface, typically at a height of less than 25 centimeters. This growth habit allows the plant to thrive in various habitats by protecting its regenerative tissues near the ground, ensuring efficient resource acquisition during its brief annual existence.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Phyllanthus virgatus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb. This plant is a terrestrial species that functions independently, as it is neither a parasite nor an epiphyte. In terms of stature, it is a relatively small plant, with a height that ranges from 0 m to a maximum of 0.5 m, maintaining a mean height of approximately 0.5 m. Although it possesses a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a liana or a vine, its growth habit remains consistent with its herbaceous classification.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Phyllanthus virgatus is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its foliage, which play a crucial role in its metabolic processes and environmental adaptation. The leaves exhibit a significant range in size, with a mean length of 1.5 cm, though they can vary from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width displays a narrow profile, maintaining a mean width of 0.45 cm, while ranging from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.7 cm. Notably, the plant does not exhibit succulence, indicating that its water storage mechanisms are not localized within the leaf tissues, suggesting a reliance on standard transpiration and absorption patterns rather than specialized succulent adaptations for moisture retention.

Leaf length max:

2.5 cm

Leaf length mean:

1.5 cm

Leaf length min:

0.5 cm

Leaf width max:

0.7 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.45 cm

Leaf width min:

0.2 cm

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Phyllanthus virgatus is characterized by the production of small, capsule-type fruits that play a crucial role in its life cycle. These capsules are quite diminutive, with a minimum width of 0.2 cm, a mean width of 0.25 cm, and a maximum width reaching up to 0.3 cm. The fruit is classified as dehiscence, meaning it undergoes a natural splitting process to release its contents. The dispersal of the seeds follows a zoochorous syndrome, specifically utilizing endozoochory, where seeds are dispersed through the digestive tracts of animals.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

0.3 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.25 cm

Fruit width min:

0.2 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Phyllanthus virgatus 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 root, stem.

Root

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Stem

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Chemicals

Phyllanthus virgatus has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Phyllanthin, Hypophyllanthin, Brevifolin, Flavonoids, Gallic acid.

Phyllanthin

1. Journal of separation science
2. Pharmaceutical biology
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hypophyllanthin

1. Journal of separation science
2. Pharmaceutical biology

Brevifolin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gallic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Niranthin

1. Journal of separation science

Nirtetralin

1. Journal of separation science

Tannins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Phyllanthus virgatus has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Phyllanthus virgatus has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Petroleum ether extract (PSPSE), ethanol extract (PSEE).

Petroleum ether extract (pspse)

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethanol extract (psee)

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology