Sauropus
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The genus Sauropus, of the Phyllanthaceae family, comprises about 40 species of herbs, shrubs or subshrubs, sometimes with woody bases. These plants can be monoecious or dioecious. They are distributed in Southeast Asia, Malesia and Australia.
[edit] Description
Sauropus species have alternate, entire leaves with short petioles and small stipules. Flowers appear at axiles and mainly form clusters. There are 6 perianth segments divided in 2 whorls, with female flowers often having bigger perianths. At male flowers, the perianth is tube-like, with 3 stamen. The fruit is berry-like, ovoid or globose, and fleshy.
[edit] Taxonomy note
Sauropus elegantissimus has officially become Breynia retusa and excluded from this genus.
[edit] Synonymy
This genus is known under several other names:
