Phyllanthaceae

Trees, herbs or shrubs, rarely climbers, succulents or aquatics. Leaves simple, alternate, rarely opposite, absent in some Phyllanthus species; margins entire, rarely toothed. Stipules usually present. Sap absent. Inflorescence axillary, rarely terminal; consisting of cymes, racemes, panicles, fascicles or solitary flowers. Flowers unisexual, rarely bisexual; actinomorphic; bracteate, usually yellow to green or pink to maroon. Sepals free or fused, usually imbricate or valvate. Petals free or absent. Ovary superior; carpels fused. Fruit usually a capsule or schizocarp, or a drupe or berry.

Comment: This family has recently been separated from Euphorbiaceae sensu lato and formerly was the subfamily Phyllanthoideae within that family, excluding Drypetes, which has become part of the small family Putranjivaceae.

Worldwide: 54-60 genera and c. 2000 species mostly pantropical but also many in southern temperate zones and some northern temperate

Zambia: 11 genera and 85 taxa.