Phyllanthaceae FAMILY

Phyllanthus niruri

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

3/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Phyllanthus niruri is an erect, annual plant, often branched from the base, growing 15 - 50cm tall. The plant is commonly harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, and is also the source of a dye

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeS. America - Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, north to the Caribbean and through Central America to Mexico and Texas.

HabitatOpen sites in lower montane evergreen forest areas, at elevations of 1,000 - 2,500 metres[ 369 Title Flora of Costa Rica Publication Author Standley P.C. Website http://www.archive.org/ Publisher Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago Year 1938 ISBN Description Rather dated, but an excellent treatment of the area. Available for download from the internet. ].