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Conservation Status
IUCN: not evaluated
USFWS: None
Family: EUPHORBIACEAE Genus: Acalypha Species: amentacea Species Author: Roxb. Subspecies: wilkesiana Subspecies Author: (Muell. Arg.) Fosb. Vernacular: Copper Leaf, Jacob's Coat Synonyms: Acalypha amentacea f. circinnata, Acalypha circinata, Acalypha compacta, Acalypha godseffiana, Acalypha godseffiana var. heterophylla, Acalypha hamiltoniana, Acalypha illustris, Acalypha macafeeana, Acalypha macrophylla, Acalypha marginata, Acalypha musaica, Acalypha torta, Acalypha tricolor, Acalypha triumphans, Acalypha wilkesiana, Acalypha wilkesiana f. appendiculata, Acalypha wilkesiana f. circinata, Acalypha wilkesiana f. illustris, Acalypha wilkesiana f. macrophylla, Acalypha wilkesiana var. marginata, Acalypha wilkesiana f. monstrosa, Acalypha wilkesiana f. triumphans, Ricinocarpus wilkesianus
Painted Copper Leaf is a spreading evergreen shrub growing up to 10 ft (3.1 m) tall and similar spread. The leaves are alternate, elliptic to oval and multi-colored. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, hanging in catkin like racemes usually hidden in the foliage. Many cultivars are available with different leaf forms and colors. Acalypha wilkesiana 'Marginata' has coppery-green leaves with pink or crimson margins.
(Gilman, Edward F. 1999. Acalypha wilkesiana Fact Sheet.)
In tropical America, Painted Copper Leaf is a popular outdoor plant that provides color all year long with its spectacular foliage. Elsewhere, Painted Copper Leaf is grown indoors as a house-plant.
(Powell, Charles C. and Vining Donald M. 1984. Ortho’s Complete Guide to Successful Houseplants.)
Painted Copper Leaf is native to Fiji and nearby islands in the South Pacific. In Florida, it has escaped from cultivation and becoming established in disturbed sites.
(Gilman, Edward F. 1999. Acalypha wilkesiana Fact Sheet.)
We currently have 13 herbarium specimens for Acalypha amentacea subsp. wilkesiana in our collection. Click on any specimen below to view the herbarium sheet data.
