Leaf

Verwijs, J. I. M., Bouman, R. W. & Welzen, P. C. van, 2019, A taxonomic revision of Phyllanthus subgenus Macraea (Phyllanthaceae), Blumea 64 (3), pp. 231-252 : 232-233

Leaf morphology

Leaves are always arranged alternate and distichous. Contrary to most other species of Phyllanthus , leaves can be found on all axes. Each leaf has two stipules at the base. The stipules are triangular, ovate or (sub)orbicular, usually glabrous, persistent or caducous. The stipule base is either straight or auriculate and the margins are often brown, entire and brittle.

The leaves are shortly petiolate, sometimes appearing sessile. The petioles are not thickened or pulvinate, and pubescent or glabrous depending on the species.

The leaves have a pinnate venation, whereby the secondary veins loop and anastomose near the margins. The midvein and secondary veins can be somewhat elevated on either side of the leaf. The blade can be papery to coriaceous with an entire, sometimes revolute margin. The leaf blades are orbicular, lan- ceolate, ovate to elliptic-oblong. The base of the blades varies from cordate to attenuate, while the apex similarly varies from retuse/emarginate to acuminate.