Acalypha rhomboidea Acalypha rhomboidea Raf. Acalypha virginica L. var. rhomboidea (Raf.) Cooperr. Three-seeded Mercury, Rhombic Three-seeded Mercury, Rhomboid Mercury, Rhombic Copperleaf
Three-seeded mercury is a member of the highly variable Euphorbia family. The genus, Acalypha, is from the Greek akalyphē, meaning “nettle,” because these plants resemble nettles. The species rhomboidea refers to the rhomboid shape of the leaves. Three-seeded mercury refers to the fruits—capsules with three seeds. I have no clue where “mercury” comes from though. Identification: Plants are 6-24" (15-60 cm) tall, with a stem that is hairless or covered with fine white hairs. Leaves are alternate, lance-like or oval with sharp tips, 3½" (8.9 cm) × 1" (2.5 cm), with blunt serrations. Flowers are greenish-tan, and tiny—less than ⅛" (3.2 mm) across. Although the flowers are inconspicuous, the bracts (modified leaves) surrounding them turn copper-colored, along with the stems and leaf undersides, hence the common name “copperleaf.” They flower from July to October. See this article by Steve Brill on distinguishing among nettles and related plants. |
9/27/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, MA 9/1/2013 · Trail Near James River, Midlothian, VA |
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Here are some similar species:
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Laportea canadensis |
You are here Acalypha rhomboidea |
Pilea pumila |
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Plant | 24-48" (60-121 cm) high. Stems have stiff white hairs that sting if you rub against them. | 6-24" (15-60 cm) tall, with a stem that is hairless or covered with fine white hairs. Bracts beneath flowers, stems, and leaf undersides turn copper-colored. | 6-24" (15-60 cm) high, with smooth, round, translucent stems. They do not have stinging hairs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flowers | Greenish-white, appearing from July to September. | Flowers are greenish-tan, and tiny—less than ⅛" (3.2 mm) across. They flower from July to October. | Both male and female flowers are on each plant. Fowers are ⅛" (3.2 mm) long, greenish-white or greenish-yellow, hanging in narrow bunches from the axils of the upper leaves. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Leaves | Alternating, up to 4" (10 cm) × 6" (15 cm), egg-shaped, with coarse serrations. | Leaves are alternate, lance-like or oval with sharp tips, 3½" (8.9 cm) × 1" (2.5 cm), with blunt serrations. | Leaves occur in opposite pairs, each 1-5" (2.5-12 cm) long by ½-2½" (1.3-6.3 cm) wide. Leaves are oval-shaped and coarse-toothed, with three prominent veins and textured leaves. The leaves are bright green, usually shiny, and become yellow in the fall. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Habitats | Moist woods, streambanks. | Open woods, moist soils, gravel bars, waste ground, roadsides, railroads. | Wet upland or floodplain forests, crevices in rocky canyons, and shady wetlands, streambanks. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Type | Wild | Wild | Wild |
Online References:
Acalypha rhomboidea on Missouriplants.com
Acalypha rhomboidea at Minnesota Wildflowers
Acalypha rhomboidea at Illinois Wildflowers
Acalypha rhomboidea on Southeastern Flora, the Southeastern U.S. Plant Identification Resource
Acalypha rhomboidea at the University of Wisconsin's Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium
Acalypha rhomboidea at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
References:
9/27/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, MA
≈ 4 × 6" (10 × 15 cm) ID is uncertain
9/1/2013 · Trail Near James River, Midlothian, VA
≈ 7 × 4½" (18 × 12 cm)
8/18/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, MA
≈ 4½ × 7" (11 × 17 cm) ID is uncertain
8/18/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, MA
≈ 4 × 6" (10 × 15 cm) ID is uncertain
8/18/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, MA
≈ 3½ × 5" (9.2 × 13 cm) ID is uncertain
Acalypha rhomboidea description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 Dec 2018.
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9/1/2013 · Trail Near James River, Midlothian, VA
≈ 4½ × 6" (12 × 16 cm)
8/7/2010 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, MA
≈ 3½ × 4½" (9.4 × 11 cm) ID is uncertain
8/18/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, MA
≈ 4½ × 7" (11 × 17 cm) ID is uncertain
9/1/2013 · Trail Near James River, Midlothian, VA
≈ 6 × 8" (14 × 20 cm)
9/27/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, MA
≈ 8 × 12" (20 × 31 cm) ID is uncertain
Range: