Breynia retusa is a species of plant in the family Phyllanthaceae.
Distribution It grows naturally in Bangladesh, China,www.tropicos.org Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia (peninsular), Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and Réunion where it is considered as an invasive weed.www.especesinvasives.re Groupe Espèces Invasives de La Réunion
The synonysation of Sauropus elegantissimus that is known to be endemic to Malaysia is disputed. Under this name, this plant is listed as critically endangered, but it is unclear what effect an updated taxonomy would have on that rating.
The plant has been recorded to be a host plant for the moth Buzara onelia in Maharashtra, India.
All parts of the plant are used in traditional medicine including for the treatment of dysentry, toothache and hastening suppuration. The chemical and nutritional composition of fruits and leaves of the plant have been deemed suitable and promising as a food additive towards preventing diabetes in humans.
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