Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Malpighiales
Genus:
Species:
leptoclada
ID:
962565

Status:
valid

Authors:
Benth.

Source:
wcs

Year:
1846

Citation Micro:
Bot. Voy. Sulphur : 164 (1846)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000961903



Common Names

  • Copperleaf
  • Leptoclada Copperleaf
  • Slender Copperleaf


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Description

Acalypha leptoclada (also called Narrow-leaved Copperleaf, among many other common names) is a shrub native to tropical Africa. It typically grows in moist, shady areas and has a rounded, spreading habit with narrow, oval-shaped leaves that are reddish-brown in color. It produces small, yellow-green flowers.

Uses & Benefits

Acalypha leptoclada is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a hedge plant. It is also used as a medicinal plant to treat skin diseases, wounds, and as an antiseptic.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flower of Acalypha leptoclada is a small, yellowish-green inflorescence, with a single female flower in the center and several male flowers around it. The seed is a three-lobed capsule, containing small, black, angular seeds. The seedlings are small, with two cotyledons and a single, short stem.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Acalypha leptoclada is a succulent shrub that grows up to 3 feet (90 cm) tall. It has thick, fleshy stems with small, oval-shaped leaves. The leaves are green to gray-green in color and have a waxy coating. The plant produces small yellow flowers in the summer. It is best grown in full sun to partial shade in well-drained, sandy soil. Propagate by seed or stem cuttings.

Where to Find Acalypha leptoclada

Acalypha leptoclada is found in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.

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,

References

The Plant List v1.1 record kew-795: Based on the initial data import
George Bentham (1800-1884): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Benth.' in the authors string.