Phyllanthus reticulatus, commonly known as Black Honey Shrub, is a deciduous shrub native to a variety of habitats including tropical and subtropical forests, riverbanks, and open woodlands across Asia and Northern Australia. It has been introduced to Jamaica. This species can reach up to 16 feet in height and features light reddish-brown or grey-brown stems. The leaves are small, green, and arranged in a feather-like pattern. Phyllanthus reticulatus blooms with inconspicuous greenish-white flowers that are pollinated by Epicephala moths, which have a unique mutualistic relationship with the plant, laying eggs in the flowers’ ovaries.

The Black Honey Shrub is not commonly cultivated but may be of interest for its medicinal properties, as many Phyllanthus species are used in traditional medicine. It requires minimal care, thriving in full sun to part shade and tolerating a range of soil types, provided they are well-drained. It is drought-tolerant once established. In cultivation, it could be used for naturalizing in subtropical gardens or as part of a medicinal plant collection. However, caution is advised as Phyllanthus reticulatus is potentially invasive in some regions. Before planting it outside of its native range, it is crucial to check local regulations.CC BY-SA 4.0