About Breynia vitis-idaea (Burm.f.) C.E.C.Fisch.
Breynia vitis-idaea, commonly called officinal breynia, is a perennial tree-like plant species in the family Phyllanthaceae, which falls within the broader group Euphorbiaceae s.l. Its natural range extends from India eastward to Taiwan and Okinawa, and southward to Indonesia. This species grows as a shrub or small treelet, reaching up to 3 meters in height, and produces oval egg-shaped leaves. It bears staminate flowers and spherical, red fruit. In Fujian, China and the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan, Breynia vitis-idaea is pollinated by the leafflower moth Epicephala vitisidaea. The moth actively pollinates the plant's flowers, but lays its egg in the gap between the flower's external carpel wall and tepals. The moth's caterpillars get nourishment by eating a portion of the plant's seeds as they develop. This plant contains the saponin breynin, along with terpenic and phenolic glycosides. It is sold commercially in Taiwan under the name Chi R Yun. Poisoning from Breynia vitis-idaea causes hepatocellular liver injury.
