Flora of the Southeastern United States

*Emblica urinaria (Linnaeus) R.W. Bouman. Common name: Chamber Bitter, Gripeweed. Phenology: (Jan-) Mar-Nov (-Dec). Habitat: Gardens, roadsides, and other disturbed ground, apparently preferring nitrogen-rich or fertilized soils. Distribution: Native of tropical South and Southeast Asia, now widespread in the tropics and subtropics of both hemispheres. This species appeared in the 1940s to 1960s in FL, GA, AL, LA, TX, and NC, and in the 1970s in TN (Kral (1981). Reported for MO by Freeman & Morse (2019).

Origin/Endemic status: E. and se. Asia

Taxonomy Comments: Ssp. nudicarpus Rossignol & Haicour is e. Asian and not known to be introduced in our area; it is likely specifically distinct.

Synonymy ⓘ: = n/a — C, RAB; = Phyllanthus urinaria L. ssp. urinaria — Ar, FNA12, NY, Govaerts, Frodin, & Radcliffe-Smith (2000), Rossignol, Rossignol, & Haicour (1987); < Emblica urinaria (L.) R.W.Bouman — Bouman et al (2022); < Phyllanthus urinaria L. — Fl2, GW2, Il, K4, NcTx, Tx, WH3, Webster (1970). Basionym: Phyllanthus urinaria L. 1753

Links to other floras: = Phyllanthus urinaria ssp. urinaria - FNA12

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC (name change)
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC (name change)
• Great Plains: FAC (name change)
• Midwest: FAC (name change)

Heliophily ⓘ: 7