Long-Stalked Phyllanthus

Phyllanthus tenellus

fil-LAN-thus ten-ELL-us

Euphorbiaceae

Native to: Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean and parts of tropical Africa

Florida abundance and distribution: Common throughout Florida

Recognition: Upright, branching weed to 2’ tall but often shorter with reddish stems and

leaf margins. Inconspicuous white star shaped flowers. Fruit green and round on long

stalks. Leaves are oval and slightly pointed at ends, arranged alternately in two rows on

lateral shoots.

Potentially confused species: Chamber Bitter (Phyllanthus urinaria) has warty (vs.

smooth) fruit without a stalk and more closely spaced leaves giving it a bushy

appearance.

Contributed by: Carrie Black