Acalypha amentacea Roxb. ssp. wilkesiana (Müll. Arg.) Fosberg Acalypha wilkesiana Müll. Arg. Copper leaf, copperleaf
Copper leaf is a shrub that can reach 15' (4.6 m) in height. In photo 3, the variety is probably ‘Marginata’, since its leaves are fringed in red. This plant is native to Fiji and other nearby islands in the South Pacific. It needs rich, moist, well-drained soil. In Florida, it has escaped cultivation in some areas, though it is not common; it is not established outside of Florida. Identification: The unusual leaf coloration and restricted range in the United States are probably enough to distinguish copper leaf from other plants. Edibility: Poisonous Medical: Recent research (2010) suggests that extracts from this plant are beneficial for the treatment of diabetes, and may lead to future treatments. Online References:
Acalypha amentacea ssp. wilkesiana on Forest and Kim Starr’s Starr Environmental site (great photos) Acalypha amentacea ssp. wilkesiana at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Acalypha amentacea ssp. wilkesiana at the Missouri Botanical Garden Acalypha amentacea ssp. wilkesiana on floridata.com Acalypha amentacea ssp. wilkesiana on Wikimedia Commons (photos) Acalypha amentacea ssp. wilkesiana description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020. © FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved. |
1 · 8/31/2013 · Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond, Virginia 2 · 2/26/2010 · San Diego Zoo, San Diego, California 3 · 3/2/2001 · Kula Botanical Garden, Maui, Hawaii Range: Zones 10a-11:
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