Phyllanthus urinaria (Chamber Bitter, Gripeweed)

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Phyllanthus urinaria is an erect annual broadleaf weed that can grow 60 cm tall. The stem is branching, slender, and crimson red in color. 

It is easily recognizable by its simple alternate leaves that are distinctly arranged in pairs along the stem. The leaves open during the day and close at sundown.

Phyllanthus urinaria Classification

  • Domain: Eukaryota
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Phylum: Spermatophyta
  • Subphylum: Angiospermae
  • Class: Dicotyledonae
  • Order: Euphorbiales
  • Family: Euphorbiaceae
  • Genus: Phyllanthus 
  • Species: Phyllanthus urinaria
  • Common Names: Chamberbitter, Shatterstone, Stonebreaker, Common Leaf flower, and Leafflower.

Nativity and Distribution

Phyllanthus urinaria is native to Asia. It has since been naturalized in several tropical regions worldwide. It can be found in:

  • Africa
  • Caribbean 
  • Central America
  • North America
  • South America 
  • Oceania

Physical Characteristics

Chamber bitter has small oblong-shaped leaves, greenish-red fruits, and crimson red stem
Chamber bitter has small oblong-shaped leaves, greenish red fruits and a crimson red stem. Image: inaturalist/scallions
  • Leaves: Small, alternate, glabrous oblong-shaped leaves.
  • Fruits: Greenish-red globular capsule 2.5mm wide.
  • Stems: Branching, slender, and crimson red in color.
  • Flowers: Small and inconspicuous greenish-white flowers.
  • Roots: Brown or white taproot system. 

Phyllanthus urinaria is an annual herbaceous (but it can also be a short-lived perennial) plant that can grow up to 60 cm tall. It is easily recognizable by its simple alternate, sessile leaves distinctly arranged along the crimson red stem. 

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The stems are slender and smooth with a green and reddish hue. They are heavily branched and can grow about 30-60 cm long. The leaves are simple and alternate about 1-2 cm wide, smaller towards the petiole and wider at the tip. They are ovate to lanceolate and heavily crowded along the stem in distinct branchlet pairs.

Chamber bitter produces small inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers. They are arranged in clusters with the female flowers forming the first to the middle part while the male flowers on the middle to the tip part of the leaf. Flowering occurs in the warmer months. 

The seeds are oval-shaped and smooth with transverse ridges about 1mm long.

Reproduction, Dispersal, and Life Cycle

  • Life Cycle: Annual but may also behave as a short-lived perennial.
  • Seeds: Prolific seeder with a single fruit producing six seeds.
  • Climate: Tropical and subtropical climates.
  • Dispersal: Explosive mechanism, water, animals, and agricultural equipment.

Gripeweed behaves as an annual weed in the right environmental conditions, completing its life cycle within one year. 

In cases where the habitat conditions are unfavorable, it regrows in successive seasons through seeds or vegetative parts. This dual reproduction system allows it to adapt to different environments, making it a resilient weed.

When the capsules mature, they shatter explosively, dispersing the seeds short distances. They can also be dispersed by water, wind, animals, and through the sharing of tillage and harvesting agricultural equipment across different localities.

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Seeds that fall on the surface and up to a distance of 5 cm germinate easily. However, some seeds may remain dormant and germinate when favorable conditions are present. 

Similar Plants

  • Pyllanthus debilis
  • Pyllanthus amarus
  • Pyllanthus virgatus

Uses

  1. Dried plant parts are used as herbal remedies.
  2. It is used to formulate traditional medicines for stimulating kidneys and treating conditions like diarrhea, jaundice, urinary infections, dysentery, and STDs like syphilis and gonorrhea.
  3. Young leaf extract is used to treat coughs in children.
  4. Pounded leaves and stems are used to treat vertigo.
  5. As a topical poultice, it is used to treat sores, swellings, itches, and snake bites.
  6. It is a famine food in China.
  7. It is used as forage for cattle in India.

Impact on Farms and Environment

Chamber bitter is an aggressive weed that is found in farmlands and landscapes
Chamber bitter is an aggressive weed that is found in farmlands and landscapes. Image: Flickr/takashihoshide

Chamber bitter is considered an invasive weed, affecting numerous crops including cotton, maize, tobacco, rice, nurseries, fruit orchards, and vegetable plantations.

Its prolific seed production, rapid growth, and tolerance to shade, cultivation, and mutilation make it difficult and expensive to control for farmers and landscapers, thereby reducing the yield and quality of the harvests.

However, its medicinal benefits used in treating a wide variety of ailments and conditions in many countries globally outweigh the negative effects on agricultural lands and other areas. 

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Phyllanthus urinaria is documented to have many therapeutic benefits including antiviral, anti-bacterial, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties.

Control

  • Mechanical control: Hand-pulling, manual weeding, and tillage.
  • Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch.
  • Chemical control: 2,4-D, glyphosate, prodiamine, dithiopyr, acifluorfen, paraquat, and oxyfluorfen.

Hand-pulling will eliminate small infestations if noticed early. Digging and manual weeding help control the weed in croplands like cotton and rice. 

For landscapes and nurseries, applying a thick layer of mulch will choke out the weeds and prevent regrowth. 

Chemical herbicides can provide more effective control in farmlands and landscapes. Repeated application of pre-emergence herbicides like prodiamine and dithiopyr during land preparation can help prevent growth and establishment. 

For established infestations, apply post-emergence herbicides like glyphosate and paraquat. If you’re unsure, consult local professionals to help you select the best herbicide for your farm, lawn, or landscape.