Sauropus


The genus Sauropus, of the family Phyllanthaceae, comprises about 40 species of herbs, shrubs or subshrubs, sometimes with woody bases. These plants can be monoecious or dioecious. They are distributed in Southeast Asia, Malesia and Australia.

Taxonomy

In a 2006 revision of the Phyllanthaceae, it was recommended that Sauropus be subsumed in Phyllanthus; however, new combinations in Phyllanthus for former Sauropus species remain to be published.

Description

Sauropus species have alternate, entire leaves with short petioles and small stipules. Flowers appear at axils and mainly form clusters. There are 6 perianth segments divided in 2 whorls, with female flowers often having bigger perianths. At male flowers, the perianth is tube-like, with 3 stamen. The fruit is berry-like, ovoid or globose, and fleshy.

Species include

Sauropus elegantissimus has become Breynia retusa.