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Useful Tropical Plants

Breynia disticha

J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.

Phyllanthaceae


This species may be transferred to the genus Phyllanthus. A paper by Warren L. Wagner and David H. Lorence ‘A nomenclator of Pacific oceanic island Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae), including Glochidion’ PhytoKeys 4:67-94 (2011)[
858
Title
A nomenclator of Pacific oceanic island Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae), including Glochidion.
Publication
PhytoKeys 4:67-94 (2011)
Author
Wagner W.L.; Lorence D.H.
Website
http://www.phytokeys.com
Publisher
PhytoKeys
Year
2011
ISBN
1314-2003
Description
A proposed revision of the genus Phyllanthus, enlarging the genus by transferring the genera Breynia, Glochidion, Reverchonia, Phyllanthodendron, and Sauropus to it. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
], has proposed submerging the genera Breynia, Glochidion, Reverchonia, Phyllanthodendron, and Sauropus into a broadened concept of the genus Phyllanthus. This proposal has not yet (2014) been fully accepted, although the ‘World Checklist of Selected Plant Families’ has accepted the name changes of the Pacific Island species of Glochidion, as detailed in the paper. No revised form of this name has been seen as yet

+ Synonyms

Agave roseopictus Van Geert

Breynia axillaris Spreng.

Breynia nivosa (W.Bull) Small

Melanthesa neocaledonica Baill.

Phyllanthus atropurpureus Van Geert

Phyllanthus nivosus W.Bull

Phyllanthus sandwicensis hypoglaucus H.Lév.

Common Name:

Breynia disticha
Variegated hedge
Photograph by: Forest and Kim Starr
Creative Commons License
Breynia disticha Breynia disticha Breynia disticha Breynia disticha

General Information

Breynia disticha is an evergreen shrub growing up to 3 metres tall[
302
Title
Tropical Ornamentals; A Guide
Publication
 
Author
Whistler. W. Arthur.
Publisher
Timber Press Inc. Oregon.
Year
2000
ISBN
0-88192-448-2
Description
An excellent little guide to some of the more commonly cultivated ornamental plants of the Tropics, often giving some information on the plants other uses.
].
The plant, especially in its variegated form, is grown extensively as a hedge plant in the Tropics[
459
Title
The Useful Plants of the Island of Guam
Publication
Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 9
Author
Safford W.E.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
Publisher
Smithsonian Institute; Washington.
Year
1905
ISBN
 
Description
A very comprehensive, if rather dated, guide to the plants of Guam. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References


Range

Pacific - New Caledonia, Vanuatu.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Weed PotentialYes
Other Uses Rating *  *  *
HabitEvergreen Shrub
Height2.00 m
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Ornamental

Cultivation Details


Grows best in partial shade, though full sun brings out the colours of the variegated forms[
302
Title
Tropical Ornamentals; A Guide
Publication
 
Author
Whistler. W. Arthur.
Publisher
Timber Press Inc. Oregon.
Year
2000
ISBN
0-88192-448-2
Description
An excellent little guide to some of the more commonly cultivated ornamental plants of the Tropics, often giving some information on the plants other uses.
]. Prefers a moist, fertile soil[
302
Title
Tropical Ornamentals; A Guide
Publication
 
Author
Whistler. W. Arthur.
Publisher
Timber Press Inc. Oregon.
Year
2000
ISBN
0-88192-448-2
Description
An excellent little guide to some of the more commonly cultivated ornamental plants of the Tropics, often giving some information on the plants other uses.
].
The plant can sucker profusely. It has escaped from cultivation and become naturalized by spreading vegetatively via root suckers where formerly planted around abandoned homesites in Hawaii[
305
Title
Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.hear.org/pier/scientificnames/index.html
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A very good website detailing weed species that have been introduced into the Pacific Islands.
].
The plant can flower all year round, though the flowers are inconspicuous[
302
Title
Tropical Ornamentals; A Guide
Publication
 
Author
Whistler. W. Arthur.
Publisher
Timber Press Inc. Oregon.
Year
2000
ISBN
0-88192-448-2
Description
An excellent little guide to some of the more commonly cultivated ornamental plants of the Tropics, often giving some information on the plants other uses.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant, especially the variegated form, is grown extensively as a hedge in the Tropics[
459
Title
The Useful Plants of the Island of Guam
Publication
Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 9
Author
Safford W.E.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
Publisher
Smithsonian Institute; Washington.
Year
1905
ISBN
 
Description
A very comprehensive, if rather dated, guide to the plants of Guam. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. It is easily kept in a good compact condition by clipping, and the light pinkish foliage offers a pleasing contrast with darker-leaved shrubs[
459
Title
The Useful Plants of the Island of Guam
Publication
Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 9
Author
Safford W.E.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
Publisher
Smithsonian Institute; Washington.
Year
1905
ISBN
 
Description
A very comprehensive, if rather dated, guide to the plants of Guam. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. The main drawback is that the plant can sucker profusely, so it should be placed accordingly[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings
Suckers
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-03-29. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Breynia+disticha>

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