PHYLLANTHACEAE

The Phyllanthaceae or gooseberry family comprises some 1500+ species of trees, shrubs, and herbs found in tropical and temperate regions of the world. They have alternate or pinnate leaves, solitary flowers and fruits in form of berries, capsules or drupes. Phyllanthaceae is closely related to the spurge family Euphorbiaceae, but Phyllanthaceae do not exude sap or latex. The Melaka tree (Phyllanthus emblica) and Indian gooseberry (P. acidus) produce edible sour fruits. The stonebreaker plants (P. urinari and P. niruri) are valued as herbal remedy of kidney stone and hepatitis.

The most poisonous Phyllanthaceae is an Indian species called Karra (Cleistanthus collinus). All parts of C. collinus contain toxic arylnaphthalenes such as cleistanthin, which can cause heart damage and death. There is no antidote available. The Karra leaves are sometimes ingested by people to commit suicide. Another poisonous Phyllanthaceae is the star gooseberry (Sauropus  androgynus). It is frequently consumed as leafy vegetable in Southeast Asia. However, excessive consumption of S. androgynus is linked to permanent lung damage, a condition called bronchiolitis obliterans. Without lung transplant, bronchiolitis obliterans is invariably fatal. There was an epidemic of Sauropus poisoning in Taiwan because women consumed the herb in large quantities for weight loss. The exact mechanism of S. androgynous toxicity is currently unknown. Animal studies have suggested the cause to be papaverine, an alkaloid which damages lung cells.

Star gooseberry (Sauropus androgynous), flower and foliage.

Sauropus androgynous, matured fruit and flower.