Glochidion

Glochidion is a genus of flowering plants in the family Phyllanthaceae. It comprises shrubs and trees, typically found in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. The genus is characterized by its small, often inconspicuous flowers, which are usually unisexual, with male and female flowers borne on the same plant. The fruits are typically capsules, often lobed, which split open to release their seeds. A notable feature of some Glochidion species is their obligate mutualism with *Epicephala* moths. These moths are the sole pollinators for these plants, with the female moths collecting pollen and depositing it into the flower's ovary while simultaneously laying their eggs. The developing moth larvae then feed on the seeds within the developing fruit. This highly specialized relationship is a prime example of coevolution. The exact number of species within Glochidion is subject to ongoing taxonomic research and varies depending on the source, but it is estimated to be in the hundreds. Many species are locally distributed, and some have economic uses, such as for timber or traditional medicine.