Phyllanthus urinaria (PIER species info)

Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)

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Phyllanthus urinaria
L., Euphorbiaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands? yes

Threat only at high elevations? no

Risk assessment results: Reject, score: 12 (Go to the risk assessment)

Common name(s): [more details]

Fijian: kai moku, se mbulumbulu, tho mokumoku

Kwara‘ae: mala, mala o‘a

Habit: herb

Description: "Glabrous erect herb, often reddish, to 30 cm tall, few-branched; leaves borne on slightly flattened branchlets, these about 10 cm long; leaves oblong or oblong-obovate, 7-18 mm long, 3-7 mm wide, rounded mucronate, obliquely rounded at base, subsessile, margins minutely scabrous, pale beneath; flowers subsessile, about 4 mm wide, sepals 6, oblong, stamens 3, anthers transversely opening, filaments connate; capsules depressed-globose, about 2.5 mm wide, pendulous, transversely rugose-echinate; styles free, minute, bifid; seeds transversely rugulose, 2.5 mm broad" (Stone, 1970; p. 388).

Habitat/ecology: In Fiji, found from near sea level to an elevation of 1,127 m as a weed in villages, gardens, and waste places, and also naturalized along forest trails and on cleared ridges and summits" (Smith, 1981; pp. 484-485). "Common in lawns and other disturbed places" (Whistler, 1988; p. 19).

Propagation: Seed

Native range: "Indigenous in tropical eastern Asia and now a pantropical weed" (Smith, 1981; pp. 484-485). Fosberg et al. (1979; p. 144) list as native to Micronesia.

Presence:

Pacific

Country/Terr./St. &
Island group Location Cited status &
Cited as invasive &
Cited as cultivated &
Cited as aboriginal introduction? Reference &
Comments

American Samoa
Manu‘a Islands Olosega Island Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 95)

American Samoa
Manu‘a Islands Olosega Island Whistler, W. A. (1990)
Voucher cited: Whistler 3337

Cook Islands
Cook Islands Cook Islands McCormack, Gerald (2007)

Federated States of Micronesia
Chuuk Islands Fefan Island native
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)

Federated States of Micronesia
Chuuk Islands Namoluk (Nómwunuuk) Atoll native
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)

Federated States of Micronesia
Chuuk Islands Namoluk (Nómwunuuk) Atoll Marshall, Mae/Fosberg, F. R. (1975) (p. 38)
Voucher cited: Marshall 85 (US)

Federated States of Micronesia
Chuuk Islands Uman Island native
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)

Federated States of Micronesia
Chuuk Islands Weno (Moen) Island native
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)

Federated States of Micronesia
Kosrae Island Kosrae Island native
Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Waguk, Erick E. (2000) (p. Voucher specimen)
Specimen collected: BMW 5753 (BISH, BRI)

Federated States of Micronesia
Kosrae Island Kosrae Island Lorence, David H./Flynn, Tim (2005) (p. 15)

Federated States of Micronesia
Pohnpei Islands Pohnpei Island native
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)

Federated States of Micronesia
Pohnpei Islands Pohnpei Island Glassman, S. F. (1952) (p. 73)
Voucher cited: Hosokawa 6076

Federated States of Micronesia
Yap Islands Fais Island native
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)

Federated States of Micronesia
Yap Islands Fais Island introduced
invasive
Fosberg, F. R./Evans, M. (1969) (p. 9)
Voucher cited: Fosberg 46663 (US)

Federated States of Micronesia
Yap Islands Ifalik (Ifaluk) Atoll native
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)

Federated States of Micronesia
Yap Islands Yap (Waqab) Island native
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)

Fiji
Fiji Islands Ovalau Island introduced
invasive
Smith, Albert C. (1981) (pp. 464-465)
Voucher cited: Smith 7471

Fiji
Fiji Islands Vanua Levu Island introduced
invasive
Smith, Albert C. (1981) (pp. 464-465)
Vouchers cited: Greenwood 705, DA 9622

Fiji
Fiji Islands Viti Levu Island introduced
invasive
Smith, Albert C. (1981) (pp. 464-465)
Vouchers cited: Greenwood 789A, Tothill 734, Smith 4851, DA 2430, Smith 5824, DA 467, Weiner 236, DA 9582, DA 3978, DA 9385, DA 11220, DA 9969

French Polynesia
Marquesas Islands Fatu Hiva Island introduced
invasive
Florence, J. (1997) (p. 131)

French Polynesia
Society Islands Huahine Island introduced
invasive
Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 113)
Voucher cited: Fosberg 6308

French Polynesia
Society Islands Huahine Island introduced
invasive
Florence, J. (1997) (p. 131)

French Polynesia
Society Islands Moorea Island introduced
invasive
Florence, J. (1997) (p. 131)

French Polynesia
Society Islands Raiatea (Havai) Island introduced
invasive
Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 113)
Vouchers cited: Florence 2504, BRY 26414

French Polynesia
Society Islands Raiatea (Havai) Island introduced
invasive
Florence, J. (1997) (p. 131)

French Polynesia
Society Islands Taha‘a Island introduced
invasive
Florence, J. (1997) (p. 131)

French Polynesia
Society Islands Tahiti Island introduced
invasive
Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 113)
Vouchers cited: Grant 4509, Birnbaum 109, Florence 2504

French Polynesia
Society Islands Tahiti Island introduced
invasive
Florence, J. (1997) (p. 131)

French Polynesia
Tubuai (Austral) Islands Rurutu Island introduced
invasive
Florence, J. (1997) (p. 131)

Guam
Guam Island Guam Island introduced
invasive
Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (p. 388)
Voucher cited: G.E.S. 108

Guam
Guam Island Guam Island native
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)

New Caledonia
Îles Loyauté (Loyalte Islands) Îles Loyauté (Loyalty Islands) introduced
invasive
Tassin, Jacques (2005)

New Caledonia
Îles Loyauté (Loyalte Islands) Île Lifou introduced
MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 54)
Vouchers cited: Deplanche s.n., Däniker 2279 (Z), Schmid 1017

New Caledonia
Îles Loyauté (Loyalte Islands) Îles Ouvéa (Ouvea Atoll) introduced
MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 54)
Voucher cited: Däniker 2101 (Z)

New Caledonia
New Caledonia New Caledonia Islands Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 95)

New Guinea (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea)
New Guinea Island New Guinea Island Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 277)

Palau
Palau (main island group) Koror Island native
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)

Philippines
Philippine Islands Philippine Islands native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)

Samoa
Western Samoa Islands Upolu Island Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 19)

Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 95)

Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands native
Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 99)

Pacific Rim

Country/Terr./St. &
Island group Location Cited status &
Cited as invasive &
Cited as cultivated &
Cited as aboriginal introduction? Reference &
Comments

Cambodia
Cambodia Cambodia (Kingdom of) native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)

China
China China (People's Republic of) native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)

Indonesia
Indonesia Indonesia (Republic of) native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)

Japan
Japan Japan (country) native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)

South Korea
South Korea South Korea (Republic of) Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 277)

Malaysia
Malaysia Malaysia (country of) native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)

Taiwan
Taiwan Taiwan Island native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)

Thailand
Thailand Thailand (Kingdom of) Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 277)

Vietnam
Vietnam Vietnam (Socialist Republic of) native
U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)

Indian Ocean

Country/Terr./St. &
Island group Location Cited status &
Cited as invasive &
Cited as cultivated &
Cited as aboriginal introduction? Reference &
Comments

Mauritius
Mautitius Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues) Mauritius Island Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 277)

Additional information: Additional online information about Phyllanthus urinaria is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Taxonomic information about Phyllanthus urinaria may be available from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

References:

Florence, J. 1997. Flore de la Polynésie française, Vol. 1. Paris. Editions de l'Orstom, Institut Français de Recherche Scientifique pour le Développement en Coopération, Collection Faune et Flore Tropicales 34. 393 pp.

Fosberg, F. R./Evans, M. 1969. A collection of plants from Fais, Caroline Islands. Atoll Research Bulletin No. 133. Smithsonian Institution, Washington. 15 pp.

Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce. 1979. A geographical checklist of the Micronesian dicotyledonae. Micronesica 15:1-295.

Glassman, S. F. 1952. The flora of Ponape. Bishop Mus. Bull. 209: 1-152.

Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. 1988. Flora of the Solomon Islands. Research Bulletin No. 7. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Honiara. 203 pp.

Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. 1979. A geographical atlas of world weeds. John Wiley & Sons, New York. 391 pp.

Lorence, David H./Flynn, Tim. 2005. Checklist of the plants of Kosrae. Unpublished checklist. National Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai, Hawai‘i. 23 pp.

MacKee, H. S. 1994. Catalogue des plantes introduites et cultivées en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, 164 p.

Marshall, Mae/Fosberg, F. R. 1975. The natural history of Namoluk Atoll, eastern Caroline Islands. Atoll Research Bulletin No. 189. Smithsonian Institution, Washington. 53 pp + photos.

McCormack, Gerald. 2007. Cook Islands biodiversity and natural heritage. On-line database.

Smith, Albert C. 1981. Flora Vitiensis nova: a new flora of Fiji. National Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai, Kauai, Hawaii. Volume 2. 810 pp.

Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Waguk, Erick E. 2000. Invasive plant species on Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia. USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 43 pp.

Stone, Benjamin C. 1970. The flora of Guam. Micronesica 6:1-659.

Swarbrick, John T. 1997. Weeds of the Pacific Islands. Technical paper no. 209. South Pacific Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia. 124 pp.

Tassin, Jacques. 2005. Jacques Tassin (IAC-CIRAD), personal communication.

U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. 2007. National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online searchable database.

Welsh, S. L. 1998. Flora Societensis: A summary revision of the flowering plants of the Society Islands. E.P.S. Inc., Orem, Utah. 420 pp.

Whistler, W. A. 1988. Checklist of the weed flora of western Polynesia. Technical Paper No. 194, South Pacific Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia. 69 pp.

Whistler, W. A. 1990. The weeds of Manu‘a [unpublished checklist]. 18 pp.

Need more info? Have questions? Comments? Information to contribute? Contact PIER! (pier@hear.org)

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This page was created on 26 JUL 2002 and was last updated on 21 OCT 2006.

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
American Samoa Manu‘a Islands	Olosega Island		Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 95)
American Samoa Manu‘a Islands	Olosega Island		Whistler, W. A. (1990) Voucher cited: Whistler 3337
Cook Islands Cook Islands	Cook Islands		McCormack, Gerald (2007)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Fefan Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Namoluk (Nómwunuuk) Atoll	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Namoluk (Nómwunuuk) Atoll		Marshall, Mae/Fosberg, F. R. (1975) (p. 38) Voucher cited: Marshall 85 (US)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Uman Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Weno (Moen) Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	native	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Waguk, Erick E. (2000) (p. Voucher specimen) Specimen collected: BMW 5753 (BISH, BRI)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Lorence, David H./Flynn, Tim (2005) (p. 15)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Glassman, S. F. (1952) (p. 73) Voucher cited: Hosokawa 6076
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Fais Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Fais Island	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R./Evans, M. (1969) (p. 9) Voucher cited: Fosberg 46663 (US)
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Ifalik (Ifaluk) Atoll	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Yap (Waqab) Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Fiji Fiji Islands	Ovalau Island	introduced invasive	Smith, Albert C. (1981) (pp. 464-465) Voucher cited: Smith 7471
Fiji Fiji Islands	Vanua Levu Island	introduced invasive	Smith, Albert C. (1981) (pp. 464-465) Vouchers cited: Greenwood 705, DA 9622
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced invasive	Smith, Albert C. (1981) (pp. 464-465) Vouchers cited: Greenwood 789A, Tothill 734, Smith 4851, DA 2430, Smith 5824, DA 467, Weiner 236, DA 9582, DA 3978, DA 9385, DA 11220, DA 9969
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Fatu Hiva Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J. (1997) (p. 131)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Huahine Island	introduced invasive	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 113) Voucher cited: Fosberg 6308
French Polynesia Society Islands	Huahine Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J. (1997) (p. 131)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Moorea Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J. (1997) (p. 131)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island	introduced invasive	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 113) Vouchers cited: Florence 2504, BRY 26414
French Polynesia Society Islands	Raiatea (Havai) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J. (1997) (p. 131)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Taha‘a Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J. (1997) (p. 131)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive	Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 113) Vouchers cited: Grant 4509, Birnbaum 109, Florence 2504
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J. (1997) (p. 131)
French Polynesia Tubuai (Austral) Islands	Rurutu Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J. (1997) (p. 131)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced invasive	Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (p. 388) Voucher cited: G.E.S. 108
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
New Caledonia Îles Loyauté (Loyalte Islands)	Îles Loyauté (Loyalty Islands)	introduced invasive	Tassin, Jacques (2005)
New Caledonia Îles Loyauté (Loyalte Islands)	Île Lifou	introduced	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 54) Vouchers cited: Deplanche s.n., Däniker 2279 (Z), Schmid 1017
New Caledonia Îles Loyauté (Loyalte Islands)	Îles Ouvéa (Ouvea Atoll)	introduced	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 54) Voucher cited: Däniker 2101 (Z)
New Caledonia New Caledonia	New Caledonia Islands		Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 95)
New Guinea (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea) New Guinea Island	New Guinea Island		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 277)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Koror Island	native	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 144)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island		Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 19)
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands		Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 95)
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	native	Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 99)

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Cambodia Cambodia	Cambodia (Kingdom of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)
China China	China (People's Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)
Japan Japan	Japan (country)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)
South Korea South Korea	South Korea (Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 277)
Malaysia Malaysia	Malaysia (country of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)
Taiwan Taiwan	Taiwan Island	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)
Thailand Thailand	Thailand (Kingdom of)		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 277)
Vietnam Vietnam	Vietnam (Socialist Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Mauritius Mautitius Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues)	Mauritius Island		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 277)