Similar to Phyllanthus fraternus but stems often more scabrid than in that species, foliage-leaves suborbicular-obovate, up to 1 cm wide, often asperulous on the midrib and main nerves beneath, grey-green or glaucous, ♂ & ♀ flowers occurring together in some axils, ♀ disc annular, ± entire, hexagonal or irregularly crenate, but not deeply lobed, and the seeds darker brown in colour.

Fl. & Fr. Per.: ± Throughout the year.

Type: India, Klein s.n. in Hb. Willd. No. 17984 (B - WILLD.).

Distribution: Africa, Arabia, Socotra, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka; on grassy plains and in sandy river-beds, near sea-level.