File:Phyllanthus fraternus G.L.Webster..jpg

Family: Phyllanthaceae Distribution: Native of India. Photographed at Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary of Nellore District.A.P.This is the dorasl view of the branch. Description: A slender annual herb, 15-40cm tall, main shoot erect, foliar branches horizontal up to 10cm.Scale leaves 1mm long, foliar leaves sub sessile, stipules 1mm long, linear lanceolate with one mid rib, lamina 0.8-1x 0.3-0.5cm, elliptic-oblong or linear-oblong. Flowers axillary, unisexual; yellowish or greenish in color. Male flowers 1-3 in axillary fascicles, pedicel 0.5mm long, flower1.5-2mm across; perianth lobes 6, in 2 whorls of 3 each, outer 3 apiculate, inner 3 obtuse, translucent with a green mid rib; disk glands 6, flat, stamens 3,filaments connate into a column, anthers reniform, oblique, pollen grain tectal surface moderately reticulate. Female flower: Solitary, 3mm across; pedicel 0.5-1mm long; perianth lobes 6, ca1mm long, slightly accrescent ca 2mm long in fruit; disk flat, minute, ovary 1.5-2mm across, subglobose, 3 celled; styles 3, shortly bifid; stigmas recurved. Fruit: 1-1.2x1.5mm capsule, 3 lobed, smooth, slightly 6 ridged, depressed. Seed: Trigonous, yellowish brown, ca1mm long, segmented, with dark brown tubercles on one side and concentric vertical ridges on other side. ( Clarice A. etal.,2006) Distribution: This species is probably native of Pakistan or Western India, globally distributed throughout tropics except in Australia. Within India, it is found as a common winter weed on road sides and waste places throughout the hotter parts.