Common Name: Antsolimadinidravina

General Information

Phyllanthus casticum is a shrub or small tree that can grow up to 5 metres tall. The bole can be up to 15cm in diameter[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.
Phyllanthus casticum is the most common species of Phyllanthus in Madagascar and is common within its range. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Africa - Madagascar, Réunion, Comoros.

Habitat

Dry deciduous savannah and on sandy soils, also along roads, at elevations from sea-level up to 1,600 metres[]. Common in margins of humid forest, thickets, wooded grassland, dry forest and littoral forest[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	3.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

A decoction of the branches and leaves is taken as a refreshing drink[].

The fruits are edible and have a sour taste; they are also slightly antipyretic[]. They are used to make an alcoholic drink of inferior quality[]. The red to black fruit is a fleshy, globose berry 6 - 9mm in diameter, containing six seeds[].

Medicinal

In the traditional medicine of the islands of the Indian Ocean a twig, stem bark or powdered wood decoction is considered astringent and taken to treat severe diarrhoea, dysentery, amoebic dysentery, colic, ulcers, jaundice and infections of the urogenital tract[].
The powdered bark and the pulp of the fresh branches or crushed young leaves are applied as a poultice to treat wounds, abscesses, eczema and syphilitic ulcers[].

A twig decoction is gargled to treat a sore throat, toothache and infections in the mouth[].

A leaf decoction is drunk to treat asthma and malaria[].
The crushed leaves are applied topically to eczema and wounds[]. A leaf decoction is used to massage swollen limbs and is applied as a lotion or taken in baths to reduce oedema caused by sprains[].

A plant infusion is taken to induce menstruation in cases of irregular menstruation as well as for treatment of haemorrhoids and gastric ulcers[].

A decoction of the root is considered stimulant and is drunk to improve endurance during hard physical work, and is also used as an aphrodisiac. The root decoction is also taken to treat tiredness after severe diarrhoea, and to treat nervous depressions, syphilis and impotence[].
The crushed roots are applied as a poultice to furuncles and abscesses[]. The powdered root is applied to the forehead of children suffering from dizziness and fainting[].

The bark contains proanthocyanidol, saponosides and traces of terpenes[].
The leaves contain polyphenols, flavonoids, proanthocyanidol, steroids, 2-deoxysugars, phyllanthin, hypophyllanthin and traces of alkaloids[].
The flavonoids quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1–4)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside and 3,5,7,4’-tetrahydroxyflavone were isolated from the aerial parts[].
The roots contain the alkaloids securinine and allosecurinine[].

Other Uses

The leaves are sometimes used for dyeing basketry and cloth, but the colours are not stable[].

The twigs are used as disinfecting toothbrushes[]. The twigs are used as dental sticks for keeping the teeth clean and maintaining healthy gums[].

The flexible branches are used in wickerwork and to make large fishing nets[].

The wood is used locally for fuel[[].

Propagation

Seed -

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