MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC CROPS (2+1)

Origin and Distribution

• Plants in the genus Phyllanthus can be found around all tropical regions of the world; from Africa to Asia, South America and the West Indies.


• Phyllanthus contains about 550 to 750 species in 10-11 subgenera.


• P. amarus can be found in all the tropical regions of the world; roadsides, valleys, on the riverbanks and periphery of lakes. This plant is a common arable weed of southern Florida, the Bahamas, the West Indies and tropical America and is naturalized in the Old World tropics.


• Phyllanthus amarus is usually misidentified with the closely related P. niruri L. in appearance, phytochemical structure and history of use. P. niruri reaches a length of 60 cm, the fruits are larger, and the seeds are dark brown and warty.