Phyllanthus virgatus
Phyllanthus virgatus, commonly known as the "stone breaker" or "garcinia," is a versatile medicinal herb widely used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Renowned for its potent bioactive compounds, it is primarily utilized to support kidney health, promote detoxification, and combat inflammation, offering significant therapeutic potential in holistic wellness practices.
- Scientific name: Phyllanthus virgatus
- Family: Phyllanthaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
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.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Phyllanthaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Phyllanthus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Phyllanthus virgatus, is referred to by various names depending on the language and region. In Chinese, it is commonly called 黄珠子草 (zh), 黄珠子草 (zh-cn), and 黄珠子草 (zh-hans), and it is also identified as 细叶油树 (zh). In Bengali, the plant is known as লতাছিটকি (bn).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 黄珠子草 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 黄珠子草 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 黄珠子草 | Wikidata |
| bn | লতাছিটকি | Wikidata |
| zh | 细叶油树 | Wikidata |
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.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Nansei-shoto | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Phyllanthus virgatus, possesses diverse anatomical structures that contribute to its therapeutic properties. While the whole plant is frequently utilized in traditional medicine to prepare decoctions and infusions, specific anatomical components hold distinct significance. The stem provides the structural framework and vascular transport necessary for the plant's growth, while the root system serves as the essential anchor and nutrient absorber. At a microscopic level, the mesophyll of the stem plays a vital role in metabolic processes and gas exchange, just as the mesophyll of the root—though specialized for storage and absorption rather than photosynthesis—contributes to the overall physiological integrity and medicinal potency of the species.- Total parts
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| whole plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| mesophyll of the stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| mesophyll of the root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cortex | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Phyllanthus virgatus has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include hypophyllanthin, Phyllanthin, niranthin, nirtetralin, phyllanthin.
- Total chemicals
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| hypophyllanthin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Phyllanthin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| niranthin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| nirtetralin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phyllanthin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Phyllanthus virgatus has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |