Swordbush

Description

Phyllanthus epiphyllanthus is monoecious with clusters of flowers arising from the serration/notches of the phyllodia. There are 5 or 6 sepals in the calyx that are unfused and yellow to red. There is no corolla. In staminate flowers there is a staminal column with glands at its base and no ovary. In carpellate flowers the ovary is superior with 3 locules each with 2 ovules and no stamens. The fruit is a 3-lobed capsule that turns brown at maturity and is covered with small projections/swellings