Chamberbitter

Phyllanthus urinaria

Chamberbitter is a summer annual broadleaf weed that is also commonly known as Gripeweed, Leafflower, Mascarene Island Leaf-flower and Phyllanthus urinaria.

Identify

Alternate

Entire

Oblong

Chamberbitter is a small, vertically growing broadleaf weed with angled or grooved stems. Its leaves are arranged in two rows on the alternate branchlets, and the plant becomes woody as it matures. Chamberbitter produces green, warty fruit that forms without a stalk and is singly attached to the underside of the branch. Reproduction occurs by seeds, which explode outward from the plant onto the surrounding areas.

Life Cycle

This broadleaf weed can be found growing in fields, lawns, gardens, nurseries and disturbed areas. Chamberbitter thrives in much of the southeastern United States.

Control

Phyllanthus urinaria often grows in grass, so it is commonly found in lawns and other landscaped areas. Cultural weed control methods—such as hand-pulling—can remove individual plants, but they can’t destroy the seeds, which can spread considerable distances from each broadleaf weed plant.