It is an erect shrub that can grow up to 5m in height. The stem hard, somewhat woody. The leaves are simple, alternately arranged with a small stalk or petiole. They are ovate to elliptic in shape with a rounded base, acute tip and entire margin. The leaves are green in color with prominent patches of white in the center. The flowers are produced in the axils of leaves, on the under- side of the branches. They are yellow to pink to red in color, with separate male and female flowers. The petals are slightly fleshy. The fruit is surrounded by persistent reddish sepals. It is a white, depressed globose to globose capsule containing black seeds.
BOTANICAL NAME
Breynia androgyna (L.) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr
FAMILY
Phyllanthaceae
FLOWERING
April – July
FRUITING
July – December
PROPAGATION
It can be propagated by seeds and vegetative cuttings
PLANT PART USED
Whole Plant
COMMON NAMES:
Multi Vitamin Plant, Star Gooseberry; Malayalam: Madhuracheera, Sucurumanicheera.
USES
Leaves are highly nutritious and tender leaves are boiled and consumed by many locals. Leaves used as a medicine for coughs and to soothe the lungs. It is a good source of many vitamins. It is used to treat fevers. It may be used for weight loss. It promotes lactation. It is used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs). It is used in cases of hypertension. It has anti-oxidant properties. It has anti-microbial properties.