Statue of Unity – Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat Rain Forest Ektanagar

Phyllanthus obliquus var. obliquus

Syn. Glochidion zeylanicum

IUCN Red List Least Concern (LC)

Local name

  • Umbrella Cheese Tree (English)
  • Kumbala (Tamil)
  • Neervetti (Malayalam)

Tree type

Evergreen Deciduous
Family: Phyllanthaceae
08m

Indicated uses

Medicinal Edible Ornamental Avenue Other

Flowering & fruiting

Flowering Fruiting

Key characters

Phyllanthus obliquus var. obliquus bark

Bark

Generally greyish-brown and relatively smooth when young, becoming rougher with age.

Phyllanthus obliquus var. obliquus leaves

Leaves

Simple, alternate, elliptic to oblong/ovate, usually glossy green; apex acute to acuminate; leaves may show an oblique base.

Phyllanthus obliquus var. obliquus flower

Flower

Small, inconspicuous (2-5 mm in diameter), greenish to yellowish; borne in axillary clusters.

Phyllanthus obliquus var. obliquus fruit / seeds

Fruit / Seeds

The fruit is round and slightly flattened, with distinct segments, and develops in the leaf axils. It is green when young and turns reddish to brownish as it matures.

Phyllanthus obliquus var. obliquus

Did you know?

In Kannada, the tree is called Neeru kukke, meaning “Water Basket,” reflecting its affinity for moist habitats and the traditional use of its flexible twigs for making utility baskets.

Distribution

World map showing distribution

Indian Subcontinent to Japan and Vanuatu.