Phyllanthaceae

Native: Asia, from Nepal in the west, east to southern China and south to Peninsular Malaysia

Systematic Position

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Streptophyta

Order: Malpighiales

Family: Phyllanthaceae

Common Names

English – Burmese Grape

Malayalam – ബർമൻ ഗ്രേപ്

Description: A medium sized evergreen tree, young branches hairy. Leaves simple and alternately arranged 8-18bcm log and 3-9cm wide, elliptic-oblong or obovate or elliptic-lanceolate shape. Plant dioecious. Inflorescence densely fascicled racemes from old wood or below the leaves, flowers are apetalous, shortly pedicellate. Fruit globose capsule, yellowish-brown, about 3cm across. Seeds orbicular, embeded in rose-coloured pulp.

Distribution:  India, Bhutan, Bangladesh; Cambodia; China South-Central; East Himalaya; Hainan; Laos; Malaya; Myanmar; Thailand; Vietnam.

Uses: The fruit is harvested and used locally, eaten as a fruit, stewed or made into wine; it is also used medicinally to treat skin diseases includitng constipation, arthritis, etc.