Phyllanthus urinaria is a low growing plant, reaching heights of about 14 inches. It grows in both sun and shade and has small, alternate leaves which are larger at the tip and smaller towards the bottom. Chamber Bitter leaves resemble those of Mimosa, opening during the day and closing at night. The tiny flowers are borne in the leaf axils and are greenish-yellow to white in color. The also tiny, round fruits are green to red in color and are borne along the reverse side of the stems. This plant is prolific in producing seed, which germinate from summer to fall and the seed can remain dormant for extended periods. Phyllanthus urinaria is adaptable to a wide range of ecological habitats; it is considered a noxious weed and is listed as invasive in some areas.

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A cute little weed that emerges in numbers. It is a nuisance, but not overly competitive in a vegetable garden. It is not a heavy feeder, so it can coexist with large plants. Of course it will shade small plants. Fortunately, it is easy to remove through mechanical cultivation or pulling.

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