Phyllanthaceae

Phyllanthus, the name is based on a non-Australian species where the flowers are borne on phyllodia or leaf-like structures. Herbs, shrubs or small trees; leaves usually alternate, usually simple and often arranged in the one plane. Flowers usually axillary and unisexual. Carpels 2-5 usually 3; ovary superior with 2 ovules per locule but usually only 1 seed per locule matures, caruncle absent; fruit a capsule. Similar to Euphorbiaceae s. str., but with 2 ovules per locule rather than 1 although only 1 matures; latex absent and hairs if present are always simple.