Reviewed public profile

Phyllanthus niruri

Phyllanthus niruri is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. Its natural range spans from southern Texas, through Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, deep into South America (including Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina). Today, it has spread globally to tropical regions of Asia and Africa. Commonly known as chanca piedra, stonebreaker, or seed-under-leaf, the herb thrives in wet, tropical lowlands and disturbed soils. It is highly regarded in folk medicine for supporting liver health and treating kidney stones.

Growing profile

At a glance

Plant type: aroid
Typical size: medium 15–30cm
Light: Bright Indirect
Humidity: 50–95%

Native context

Distribution and habitat

Countries: Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Maldives, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, United States, Venezuela
Elevation: Lowland (0–500 m)
Flowering: Unknown

Derived growing context

Climate range

Temperature profile: Cold → Hot
Mean temperature: 4–25 °C
Day temperature: 7–30 °C
Night temperature: 0–22 °C
Summer mean: 16–25 °C
Winter mean: 5–13 °C
Temperature span: 30 °C
Annual temperature swing: 3–20 °C
Seasonality: Aseasonal, Four seasons, Long winter, Monsoonal / wet-dry
Adaptability: Moderately adaptable

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Country boundaries: Natural Earth, public domain.

Ecosystems

Explore ecosystem knowledge

Ecosystem evidence

Habitat-specific growing context

Rainforest

Consistently wet; high humidity

Latitude: Tropical
Moisture: Very humid
Elevation: Lowland
Seasonality: Aseasonal
Mean temperature: 25 °C
Day temperature: 28 °C
Night temperature: 22 °C
Annual temperature swing: 3 °C

Wet forest

Very humid forest; frequent wetness

Latitude: Subtropical, Tropical
Moisture: Humid, Very humid
Elevation: Lowland
Seasonality: Aseasonal
Mean temperature: 21–25 °C
Day temperature: 24–29 °C
Night temperature: 18–22 °C
Annual temperature swing: 3–8 °C

Moist forest

Moderately humid forest

Latitude: Subtropical, Tropical
Moisture: Humid, Moderate
Elevation: Lowland
Seasonality: Aseasonal, Monsoonal / wet-dry
Mean temperature: 21–25 °C
Day temperature: 25–30 °C
Night temperature: 18–21 °C
Annual temperature swing: 3–8 °C

Temperate rainforest

Cool/wet coastal orographic forests

Latitude: Cool temperate, Warm temperate
Moisture: Very humid
Elevation: Lowland
Seasonality: Four seasons
Mean temperature: 10–16 °C
Day temperature: 13–19 °C
Night temperature: 7–13 °C
Annual temperature swing: 14–17 °C

Temperate forest

Four-season forest zones

Latitude: Cool temperate, Warm temperate
Moisture: Humid, Moderate
Elevation: Lowland
Seasonality: Four seasons
Mean temperature: 10–16 °C
Day temperature: 14–21 °C
Night temperature: 6–13 °C
Annual temperature swing: 14–17 °C

Dry forest

Seasonal dryness; drought periods common

Latitude: Subtropical
Moisture: Moderate
Elevation: Lowland
Seasonality: Monsoonal / wet-dry
Mean temperature: 21 °C
Day temperature: 26 °C
Night temperature: 17 °C
Annual temperature swing: 8 °C

Boreal forest (Taiga)

Conifer-dominated; short summers

Latitude: Boreal
Moisture: Humid, Moderate, Very humid
Elevation: Lowland
Seasonality: Long winter
Mean temperature: 4 °C
Day temperature: 7–9 °C
Night temperature: 0–1 °C
Annual temperature swing: 20 °C

Seasonal context

Very small annual temperature swing; fairly consistent through the year
Pronounced annual temperature swing (temperate climates)
Short summer + long cold season (boreal climates)
Likely wet/dry season pattern (common in tropical/subtropical regions)

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Stable BJURNY record: tx_e647b9bda831417e9bfe