Tender Leaf Flower, Drummond’s Leafflower

Phyllanthus abnormis

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Plant Description: Annual to 50 cm high with elliptic to oblong or obovate leaves 5-20 mm long. Flowers axillary, unisexual. Calyx green or yellowish. Petals lacking.

Plant Trivia:

Field Identification: often isolated small plant of the garden or field bearing branches perpendicular to the main stem; milky sap; relatively tough plant structure upon handling.

Occurrence: Frequent on deep sands along the coast and inland

Bloom Period: March-December

Plant Use:

Key to the species Phyllanthus:

  1. Fruiting calyx, lobes 1.5-2.5 mm long………………………………..P. polygonoide

Fruiting calyx, lobes 0.7-1.2 mm long……………………………………………………….2

2. Leaves 1-4 mm wide………………………………………………………………….P. abnormis

Leaves 4-10 mm wide………………………………………………………………..P. prudens