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Mascarene Island Leaf-flower

Phyllanthus amarus

In the Carolinas and Georgia, found in disturbed areas, mulched beds, gardens. FloraQuest, phone app (app page) What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Not native to Florida. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 47%

Light
Partial shade, Full sun
Soil moisture
Dry to wet

At a glance

Life cycle
Annual

Not yet recorded · Height · Spread · Leaves · Bloom

This plant is missing most of its facts, so Quercus is looking them up in old botany books.

Recorded in 55 Florida counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

6CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including FL

Genus host records with ranges including FL · Phyllanthus

  • Diphthera festivaHieroglyphic Moth
  • Melanochroia chephiseWhite-Tipped Black Moth, Snowbush Spanworm
  • Cacocharis albimacula
  • Cacocharis cymotoma
  • Cacotherapia unipuncta
  • Melanochroia geometroides
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Phyllanthaceae
Flower color
Green or white

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
  • Flower color · “Green or white” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
  • Life cycle · “Annual” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
  • Light · “Partial shade; Full sun (documented habitat)” · FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team), phone app (app page) · Carolinas and Georgia
  • Soil · “Dry; Moist; Wet (documented habitat)” · FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team), phone app (app page) · Carolinas and Georgia
Also known as

Mascarene Island Leaf Flower; Moeroris amara; Phyllanthus amarus; Phyllanthus tenellus; leaf flower; leaf-flower

Conservation status

Florida rankNot available
Global rankGNR
FL statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Native alternatives

Find natives for your garden

Sources