Emblica officinalis, Phyllanthus emblica

Small to medium in size tree. The leaves are lacy, giving the tree a delicate look. Amla fruit paste is a major ingredient of Chavyanprash, a popular Ayurvedic tonic. Amla is known as amritphala in Sanskrit, which literally means the fruit of heaven or nectar fruit. It is so called because it is rich in many desirable properties. It was described in a 7th century Ayurvedic medical text. According to several scholars, the sage Chyawan is reputed to have restored his vitality with this fruit. The fruit is Aperient, Carminative, Diuretic, Aphrodasiac, Laxative, Astringent and Refrigerant; is useful in anaemia, jaundice, dyspepcia, haemorrhage disorders, diabetes, asthama and bronchitis. It cures insomnia and is healthy for hair. It is the richest known source of vitamin C. The fruit tastes bitter, but if you drink water after eating it, the water tastes sweet.

Epiphyllum hookeri, Epiphyllum strictum, Epiphyllum stenopetalum, Epiphyllum phyllanthus

Epiphytic cactus with stems that grow from 3-7 m long.

Large, white flowers (20 cm wide) open at night. The stigma is bright red and has a yellow, star-shaped tip.

Glochidion macrocarpum, Phyllanthus macrocarpus

Phyllanthus acidus, Phyllanthus distichus

Small tropical tree, to 20 feet, leaves are compound with numerous pinnate leaflets. Fruits are borne in loose clusters, which hang from the tree trunk and main branches. Individual fruits are up to 0.75 inch in diameter, near globose and angled. Fruits are generally too tart for fresh eating but are esteemed for jellies, preserves and pastries. They ripen in midsummer. There are no commercial plantings; but trees are in home gardens, and fruit is harvested from naturalized trees.

Phyllanthus acidus is called Ari Nelli in Tamil, and the Phyllanthus emblica (Amlaki) is Muzhu Nelli in Tamil. Muzhu Nelli is even richer in Vitamin C etc.

Phyllanthus angustifolius

Phyllanthus angustifolius is a medium size shrub and is quite drought resistant. If maintained small by regular pruning, it can make a beautiful pot plant. When the plant blooms it looks like flowers are growing on leaves; hence the common name 'Foliage flower'/

Phyllanthus arbuscula

Phyllanthus buxifolius

Plant in rich, sandy, well-drained soil with ample water.

Phyllanthus cuscutiflorus

Phyllanthus cuscutiflorus is hardy shrub with soft weeping new growth and tassels of dainty flowers all along the stems.

Phyllanthus latifolius

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.