Phyllanthus microcladus

The brush sauropus is a small evergreen shrub which reaches a height of 35 cm (14 in) in the southern parts of its range,[5] but may grow to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in the north.[4] The leaves are simple and opposite, and clustered on short branchlets. They usually measure between 2 and 9 mm (0.079 and 0.354 in) long and are somewhat egg-shaped with the smaller end attached to the twig on a petiole about 1 mm (0.039 in) long.[4][5][6]

The inflorescences are produced in the leaf axils, and may consist of a single flower or a small cluster. The flowers are either male or female and in most cases both sexes occur on the one plant. They are about 4 mm (0.16 in) diameter, the male flowers held on a fine stem up to 10 mm (0.39 in) long and the female ones on a stem up to 20 mm (0.79 in) long. The fruit is a smooth round capsule about 3 mm (0.12 in) diameter.[4][5]

This species was first described in 1865 by the Swiss botanist Johann Müller, who published his works under the name Johannes Müller Argoviensis to distinguish himself from other botanists of the time with similar names. He described two varieties – Phyllanthus microcladus var. microphyllus which was based on material collected from the Clarence River in New South Wales, and Phyllanthus microcladus var. puberulus based on material collected at Moreton Bay in Queensland.[7] Both varieties are now considered to be synonyms of the parent.[3]

Müller's paper was published in the German-language journal Linnaea: ein Journal für die Botanik in ihrem ganzen Umfange, oder Beiträge zur Pflanzenkunde.[2][7]

Phyllanthus microcladus is found in scattered populations from near Mossman in northeast Queensland to the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. The preferred habitat is alongside creeks and rivers in tropical and subtropical rainforest.[4][5]

In New South Wales much of the former habitat areas have been cleared for agriculture and housing. Populations are small and fragmented, and they are threatened by invasive weeds and by being crushed by domestic animals such as cattle. Stream erosion also threatens their habitat.[6]

• 
  Foliage and flowers
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  Female flower
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  Male flower
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  Fruit

• Data related to Phyllanthus microcladus at Wikispecies
• Media related to Phyllanthus microcladus at Wikimedia Commons
• View a map of historical sightings of this species at the Australasian Virtual Herbarium
• View observations of this species on iNaturalist
• View images of this species on Flickriver