Phyllanthus myrtifolius

Phyllanthus myrtifolius, known as mousetail plant or myrtle-leaf leaf-flower, is a shrub belonging to the genus Phyllanthus of the family Phyllanthaceae endemic to island of Sri Lanka.

Mousetail plant
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malpighiales
Family:	Phyllanthaceae
Genus:	Phyllanthus
Species:	P. myrtifolius
Binomial name
Phyllanthus myrtifolius (Wight.) Muell. Arg.
Synonyms
Diasperus myrtifolius (Wight) Kuntze Macraea myrtifolia Wight Phyllanthus myrtifolius Moon ex Hook. f.

Leaves

Numerous in 2-3's on suppressed branchlets, lanceolate-linear.

Trunk

Stems numerous, irregular; branchlets resemble pinnate leaves; B- vertically fissured; young parts finely pubescent.

Flowers

Inflorescence - several together in lax clusters.

Fruits

Purplish red to greenish, small, depressed, slightly 3-lobed, capsule.

Ecology

Along water courses in forest; gardens.

Uses

Hedges; ornamental.

Culture

Known as ගඟ වැ‍රැල්ල (ganga werella) in Sinhala.

References

• http://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Mousetail%20Plant.html

External links

• http://www.bonsaihunk.us/Phyllanthus.html
• http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/186360/
• http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/np50116a013?journalCode=jnprdf
• http://www.hkflora.com/v2/leaf/euphor_show_plant.php?plantid=1095