Status:
valid
Authors:
J.G.Klein ex Willd.
Source:
wcs
Year:
1805
Citation Micro:
Sp. Pl., ed. 4 , 4: 525 (1805)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000273261
Common Names
- Three-seeded Mercury
- Chenille Plant
- Nettle Leaf
Synonyms
- Acalypha alnifolia Wall. [unknown]
- Acalypha capitata ambigua Müll.Arg. [unknown]
Description
Acalypha alnifolia (also called Three-seeded Mercury, among many other common names) is a species of flowering plant in the Euphorbiaceae family. It is a shrub or small tree, growing up to 5 m tall. It is native to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. It grows in humid, lowland forests and in disturbed sites, from sea level to 1,500 m in elevation.
Uses & Benefits
Acalypha alnifolia is used in traditional medicine to treat skin disorders, wounds, and digestive disorders. It is also used as a source of food and for its ornamental value.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Acalypha alnifolia is a yellow, tubular flower with four petals. The seed is a small, black, oblong seed. The seedlings are small, green, and have a single stem.
Cultivation and Propagation
Acalypha alnifolia is a hardy perennial that can be grown in USDA zones 10-12. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist soil. Propagation is usually done through division of the rhizomes in the spring.
Where to Find Acalypha alnifolia
Acalypha alnifolia is native to India and Sri Lanka.
Acalypha alnifolia FAQ
What is the scientific name of Acalypha alnifolia?
Acalypha alnifolia
What is the common name of Acalypha alnifolia?
Copperleaf
What is the natural habitat of Acalypha alnifolia?
Tropical and subtropical regions of the world
Species in the Acalypha genus
Acalypha peckoltii,
Acalypha peduncularis,
Acalypha pendula,
Acalypha perrieri,
Acalypha persimilis,
Acalypha peruviana,
Acalypha pervilleana,
Acalypha phleoides,
Acalypha phyllonomifolia,
Acalypha pilosa,
Acalypha pippenii,
Acalypha pittieri,
Acalypha platyphylla,
Acalypha pleiogyne,
Acalypha plicata,
Acalypha pohliana,
Acalypha poiretii,
Acalypha polymorpha,
Acalypha polystachya,
Acalypha portoricensis,
Acalypha pruinosa,
Acalypha pruriens,
Acalypha pseudalopecuroides,
Acalypha pseudovagans,
Acalypha psilostachya,
Acalypha pubiflora,
Acalypha pulchrespicata,
Acalypha punctata,
Acalypha purpurascens,
Acalypha purpusii,
Acalypha pycnantha,
Acalypha pygmaea,
Acalypha radians,
Acalypha radicans,
Acalypha radinostachya,
Acalypha radula,
Acalypha radula,
Acalypha rafaelensis,
Acalypha raivavensis,
Acalypha rapensis,
Acalypha reflexa,
Acalypha repanda,
Acalypha retifera,
Acalypha rhombifolia,
Acalypha rhomboidea,
Acalypha richardiana,
Acalypha riedeliana,
Acalypha rivularis,
Acalypha rottleroides,
Acalypha rubrinervis,
Species in the Euphorbiaceae family
Acalypha peckoltii,
Acalypha peduncularis,
Acalypha pendula,
Acalypha perrieri,
Acalypha persimilis,
Acalypha peruviana,
Acalypha pervilleana,
Acalypha phleoides,
Acalypha phyllonomifolia,
Acalypha pilosa,
Acalypha pippenii,
Acalypha pittieri,
Acalypha platyphylla,
Acalypha pleiogyne,
Acalypha plicata,
Acalypha pohliana,
Acalypha poiretii,
Acalypha polymorpha,
Acalypha polystachya,
Acalypha portoricensis,
Acalypha pruinosa,
Acalypha pruriens,
Acalypha pseudalopecuroides,
Acalypha pseudovagans,
Acalypha psilostachya,
Acalypha pubiflora,
Acalypha pulchrespicata,
Acalypha punctata,
Acalypha purpurascens,
Acalypha purpusii,
Acalypha pycnantha,
Acalypha pygmaea,
Acalypha radians,
Acalypha radicans,
Acalypha radinostachya,
Acalypha radula,
Acalypha radula,
Acalypha rafaelensis,
Acalypha raivavensis,
Acalypha rapensis,
Acalypha reflexa,
Acalypha repanda,
Acalypha retifera,
Acalypha rhombifolia,
Acalypha rhomboidea,
Acalypha richardiana,
Acalypha riedeliana,
Acalypha rivularis,
Acalypha rottleroides,
Acalypha rubrinervis,