96 Species in Genus Breynia

Breynia: A Gardener’s Appreciation

My name is Ferb Vu, and I’ve always been drawn to the subtle beauty of foliage. While many gardeners crave the vibrant hues of flowers, I find myself captivated by the intricate patterns and textures of leaves. This fascination led me to the genus Breynia, a group of evergreen shrubs and trees native to Southeast Asia, China, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.

These plants, belonging to the Phyllanthaceae family, are often overlooked, their understated elegance overshadowed by showier blooms. But for those who appreciate the nuances of nature, Breynia offers a wealth of captivating characteristics. Their small, colorful leaves, often arranged in flattened sprays, create a tapestry of green, red, and sometimes even purple hues. The subtle variations in color and texture provide a sense of depth and complexity that I find truly mesmerizing.

Discovering the Diversity of Breynia

1. Breynia amabilis (Airy Shaw) Welzen & Pruesapan
2. Breynia amoebiflora (Airy Shaw) Welzen & Pruesapan
3. Breynia androgyna (L.) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr.
4. Breynia assimilis (Thwaites) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr.
5. Breynia asteranthos (Airy Shaw) Welzen & Pruesapan
6. Breynia asymmetrica (Welzen) Welzen & Pruesapan
7. Breynia baudouinii Beille
8. Breynia beillei Welzen & Pruesapan
9. Breynia bicolor (Craib) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr.
10. Breynia bishnupadae (M.Gangop. & Chakrab.) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr.
11. Breynia bonii (Beille) Welzen & Pruesapan
12. Breynia brevipes (Müll.Arg.) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr.
13. Breynia calcarea (M.R.Hend.) Welzen & Pruesapan
14. Breynia carnosa Welzen & Pruesapan
15. Breynia cernua (Poir.) Müll.Arg.
16. Breynia collaris Airy Shaw
17. Breynia coriacea Beille
18. Breynia coronata Hook.f.
19. Breynia delavayi (Croizat) Welzen & Pruesapan
20. Breynia discigera Müll.Arg.
21. Breynia discocalyx (Welzen) Welzen & Pruesapan
22. Breynia disticha J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.
23. Breynia diversifolia Beille
24. Breynia fleuryi Beille
25. Breynia fruticosa (L.) Müll.Arg.
26. Breynia garrettii (Craib) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr.
27. Breynia glauca Craib
28. Breynia gour-maitii (Chakrab. & M.Gangop.) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr.
29. Breynia grandiflora Beille
30. Breynia granulosa (Airy Shaw) Welzen & Pruesapan
31. Breynia gynophora Welzen & Pruesapan
32. Breynia harmandii (Beille) Welzen & Pruesapan
33. Breynia heteroblasta (Airy Shaw) Welzen & Pruesapan
34. Breynia heyneana J.J.Sm.
35. Breynia hiemalis Huan C.Wang & Feng Yang
36. Breynia hirsuta (Beille) Welzen & Pruesapan
37. Breynia indosinensis Beille
38. Breynia kerrii (Airy Shaw) Welzen & Pruesapan
39. Breynia kitanovii (Thin) Welzen & Pruesapan
40. Breynia lanceolata (Hook.f.) Welzen & Pruesapan
41. Breynia lithophila Welzen & Pruesapan
42. Breynia longistyla Welzen & Esser
43. Breynia macrantha (Hassk.) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr.
44. Breynia maichauensis (Thin) Welzen & Pruesapan
45. Breynia massiei Beille
46. Breynia micrasterias (Airy Shaw) Welzen & Pruesapan
47. Breynia microphylla (Kurz ex Teijsm. & Binn.) Müll.Arg.
48. Breynia mollis J.J.Sm.
49. Breynia oblongifolia (Müll.Arg.) Müll.Arg.
50. Breynia obscura Welzen & Pruesapan
51. Breynia officinalis Hemsl.
52. Breynia orbicularis (Craib) Welzen & Pruesapan
53. Breynia papillosa Esser & Stuppy
54. Breynia pierrei (Beille) Welzen & Pruesapan
55. Breynia platycalyx Airy Shaw
56. Breynia po-khantii (Chakrab. & M.Gangop.) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr.
57. Breynia podocarpa Airy Shaw
58. Breynia poilanei (Beille) Welzen & Pruesapan
59. Breynia poomae (Welzen & Chayam.) Welzen & Pruesapan
60. Breynia pseudorostrata Huan C.Wang & Feng Yang
61. Breynia pubescens Merr.
62. Breynia pulchella (Airy Shaw) Welzen & Pruesapan
63. Breynia quadrangularis (Willd.) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr.
64. Breynia racemosa (Blume) Müll.Arg.
65. Breynia repanda (Müll.Arg.) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr.
66. Breynia repens Welzen & Pruesapan
67. Breynia reticulata (S.L.Mo ex P.T.Li) Welzen & Pruesapan
68. Breynia retroversa (Wight) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr.
69. Breynia retusa (Dennst.) Alston
70. Breynia rhynchocarpa Benth.
71. Breynia rigida (Thwaites) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr.
72. Breynia rostrata Merr.
73. Breynia saksenana (Manilal, Prasann. & Sivar.) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr.
74. Breynia septata Beille
75. Breynia shawii (Welzen) Welzen & Pruesapan
76. Breynia similis (Craib) Welzen & Pruesapan
77. Breynia spatulifolia (Beille) Welzen & Pruesapan
78. Breynia stipitata Müll.Arg.
79. Breynia subangustifolia Thin
80. Breynia suberosa (Airy Shaw) Welzen & Pruesapan
81. Breynia subindochinensis Thin
82. Breynia suborbicularis Esser & Stuppy
83. Breynia subterblanca (C.E.C.Fisch.) C.E.C.Fisch.
84. Breynia temii (Welzen & Chayam.) Welzen & Pruesapan
85. Breynia thoii (Thin) Welzen & Pruesapan
86. Breynia thorelii (Beille) Welzen & Pruesapan
87. Breynia thyrsiflora (Welzen) Welzen & Pruesapan
88. Breynia tiepii Welzen & Pruesapan
89. Breynia tonkinensis Beille
90. Breynia trinervia (Hook.f. & Thomson ex Müll.Arg.) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr.
91. Breynia tsiangii (P.T.Li) Welzen & Pruesapan
92. Breynia vestita Warb.
93. Breynia villosa (Blanco) Welzen & Pruesapan
94. Breynia virgata (Blume) Müll.Arg.
95. Breynia vitis-idaea (Burm.f.) C.E.C.Fisch.
96. Breynia yanhuiana (P.T.Li) Welzen & Pruesapan

The Joys of Cultivating Breynia

While Breynia may not be as demanding as some of their more flamboyant counterparts, they still require specific conditions to thrive. In my experience, they prefer a well-draining soil mix and partial shade, although some cultivars can tolerate more sun. Regular watering is essential, especially during the hotter months, but it’s crucial to avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

One of the things I appreciate most about Breynia is their relative resilience. They are generally pest-free and can tolerate a range of conditions, making them a good choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. I’ve found that they respond well to pruning, allowing me to shape them into hedges or topiaries.

Breynia: More Than Just a Pretty Face

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Breynia also plays a role in traditional medicine in some cultures. While I’m not an expert in this area, I’ve read about the use of Breynia extracts in treating various ailments. This adds another layer of intrigue to this already fascinating genus.

For me, Breynia represents the beauty of understated elegance. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most captivating things in life are the ones that don’t shout for attention. In a world that often values flashiness and extravagance, Breynia offers a quiet refuge, a testament to the power of subtle beauty.

As I continue my journey as a gardener, I’m excited to delve deeper into the world of Breynia. I believe there’s still much to learn about this intriguing genus, and I’m eager to share my discoveries with others who appreciate the unique charm of these understated plants.