Phyllanthus mirabilis, Phyllanthodendron mirabilis

Phyllanthus mirabilis is endemic to Thailand. It is the only Phyllanthus to be caudiciform. The leaves fold together at night. In habitat this plant grows in rich peat and gets a lot of water in the rain-season. At night the leaves fold together in pairs like butterfly wings. It will keep its leaves during the winter, but loose them in spring during dormancy period, leaving a thick showy caudex. Re-leafs around June. It is a nice bonsai plant that requires minimum care and tolerates wide range of conditions. You can grow it in full sun, or in a shade garden. It doesn't mind minimal watering, but will grow faster with daily watering.

If planted in the ground, the trunk can grow up to 2-3 ft in diameter, and reach a high of 20-25 ft.

Similar plants:

• Emblica officinalis, Phyllanthus emblica (Indian Gooseberry, Emblic Myrobalan, Amla, Amalaki, Amloki)
• Epiphyllum hookeri, Epiphyllum strictum, Epiphyllum stenopetalum, Epiphyllum phyllanthus (Climbing Cactus, Hooker's Orchid Cactus)
• Glochidion macrocarpum, Phyllanthus macrocarpus (Glochidion)
• Phyllanthus acidus, Phyllanthus distichus (Otaheite Gooseberry, Amlak, Grosella, Gooseberry tree)
• Phyllanthus angustifolius (Foliage Flower)
• Phyllanthus arbuscula (Phyllanthus )
• Phyllanthus buxifolius (Phyllanthus)
• Phyllanthus cuscutiflorus (Pink Phyllanthus)
• Phyllanthus latifolius (Phyllanthus)
• Phyllanthus pectinatus, Emblica pectinata (Melaka Tree)