Phyllanthus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| iPhyllanthus | ||||||||||||||||
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| Image:Phyllanthus emblica Bra52.png Indian gooseberry, Phyllanthus emblica
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| About 800 species |
The genus Phyllanthus ( of the family Phyllanthaceae) comprises trees, bushes, and annual or biennial herbs distributed in all tropical and subtropical regions on Earth. Leafflower is the common name for all Phyllanthus species. The circumscription of this genus has been so confusing that in the 1990s, a major reorganization of Phyllanthus was carried out.
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[edit] Synonymy
See Taxonomy of the Phyllanthaceae
[edit] Selected species
- Phyllanthus abnormis
- Phyllanthus acidus - Otaheite gooseberry
- Phyllanthus acuminatus - Jamaican gooseberry tree
- Phyllanthus debilis
- Phyllanthus diffusus
- Phyllanthus emblica - Indian gooseberry
- Phyllanthus epiphyllanthus
- Phyllanthus fraternus
- Phyllanthus mirabilis - the only succulent species of this genus
- Phyllanthus myrtifolius
- Phyllanthus niruri
- Phyllanthus reticulatus
- Phyllanthus urinaria - chamberbitter
For full list, see List of Phyllanthus species.
[edit] Medical interest
Phyllanthus plants have been traditionally used to cure a wide number of diseases. In Ayurvedic medicine of India, for example, Phyllanthus is prescribed for jaundice, gonorrhea and diabetes (internal use) as well as poultices, skin ulcer and other skin problems (external use). Infusions are made from young shoots as a treatment of chronic dysentery.
Recent researches have pointed out that plants of this genus basically contain lignans (e.g. phyllanthine and hypophyllanthine), alkaloids and flavonoids (e.g. quercetin).
Phyllanthus seems to stop the development of hepatitis B because it blocks DNA polymerase - the enzyme needed for this disease's virus to reproduce. In this respect, P. urinaria and P. niruri do best.
[edit] Gallery
Phyllanthus acidus Fruits |
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Phyllanthus mirabilis Cultivated plant |
Phyllanthus mirabilis Branch tip |
Phyllanthus mirabilis Leaves |
Phyllanthus mirabilis Folded together leaves at night |
