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Moeroris tenella

(Roxb.) R.W.Bouman (2022)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Malpighiales Family: Phyllanthaceae Genus: Moeroris

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Monoecious annual herbs 0.2–0.5 m tall.

Stems: Branching phyllanthoid, the branches 5–15 cm long with watery sap, with 10–25 leaves.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate. Blades broadly elliptic to obovate, (6–)10–20(–24) mm long, (4–)5–9(–11) mm wide. Margins entire. Petioles 0.5– 0.8 mm long. Stipules lanceolate, 0.7–1.1 mm long.

Flowers: Flowers in axillary cymes on the branches, lower ones with 2–3 staminate flowers and 1–2 pistillate flowers, those above with solitary pistillate flowers. Flowers unisexual. Staminate flowers on pedicels 0.5–1.5 mm long pistillate flowers on capillary pedicels (2.5–)3–5(–8) mm long. Calyx of staminate flowers with 5 lobes; lobes, 0.4–0.7 mm long. Calyx of pistillate flower with 5 lobes; lobes, 0.6– 0.8 mm long, reflexed in fruit. Corolla (petals) absent. Stamens in staminate flowers 5; filaments distinct. Ovary superior; styles distinct, bifid.

Fruit: Capsules depressed–globose; 1.7–1.9 mm in diameter; explosively dehiscent. Seeds 0.8–0.9 mm long.

Ploidy: 2n = 26

Habitat: Low elevation; disturbed areas such as yards and other urban sites.

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Phytotaxa 540(1): 31 (2022)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:628 (K, O [as Phyllanthus tenellus]); Oppenheimer et al. 1999:8 (EM, WM); Oppenheimer & Bartlett 2000:5 (H); Oppenheimer & Bartlett 2002:7 (L); Oppenheimer 2007:23 (Mo); Faccenda 2023a:7 (KEY); Bouman et al. 2022:31 (Syn. P. tenellus = M. tenella)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Moeroris tenella Koele Weed in landscaped area. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 109911 Lanai BISH 1999-10-24
2 Moeroris tenella W Maui, Lahaina District, Alaeloa In yard of home. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 79802 Maui BISH 1998-07-15
3 Moeroris tenella Kalaheo, National Tropical Botanical Garden, McBryde Garden, near fern tunnel Moist, partly shaded garden bed Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 2474 Kauai BISH 2022-06-03
4 Moeroris tenella P.T.B.G., Lawaii Valley Occasional in disturbed, shaded areas. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 2312 Kauai BISH 1972-01-07
5 Moeroris tenella Honolulu, Bishop Museum Campus Weed along road behind Castle Building. Partial sun Preserved_Specimen Faccenda, K. 2009 Oahu BISH 2021-06-24
6 Moeroris tenella Pauwalu Common garden weed. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 80615 Molokai BISH 2006-08-10
7 Moeroris tenella East Maui, Makawao District, Pukalani Growing in yard. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 79803 Maui BISH 1998-07-19
8 Moeroris tenella North Kona Distr., Kailua-Kona, S of Kailua-Kona Pier Weed in landscaped area, near ocean. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 119819 Hawaii BISH 1998-11-28
9 Moeroris tenella Molokai Forest Reserve In yard of barracks. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 50638 Molokai BISH 2005-05-17
10 Moeroris tenella Honolulu, Punahou area, 1940 Manoa Rd Weeds occuring in shady aread of lawn and garden. Preserved_Specimen Lau, J. 1473 Oahu BISH 1985-09-30
11 Moeroris tenella Degener's Mokuleia garden Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 28248 Oahu BISH 1963-06-19
12 Moeroris tenella University of Hawaii, Manoa campus Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 5081 Oahu BISH 1974-10-20
13 Moeroris tenella Koloa District. Kalaheo, yard by house on Kaloke Road (off Niho) Preserved_Specimen Lorence, D.H. 5188 Kauai BISH 1987-04-20
14 Moeroris tenella Manoa Campus, U. of H Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 1926 Oahu BISH 1971-02-07
15 Moeroris tenella East Maui, Kokomo Preserved_Specimen Hobdy, R.W. 4272 Maui BISH 2006-10-23
16 Moeroris tenella grounds of Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5138 Kauai BISH 1983-12-20
17 Moeroris tenella Honolulu, University of Hawaii, Manoa Campus, by snack bar behind Edmonson Hall Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 1420 Oahu BISH 1969-07-14
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