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Acalypha wilkesiana
Acalypha wilkesiana
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Acalypha
Species: A. wilkesiana
Binomial name
Acalypha wilkesiana
Acalypha wilkesiana
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Acalypha wilkesiana is an evergreen shrub. It grows 3 m high and
spreads 2 m across. The stem is erect with many branches. The branches
have fine hairs. It has a closely arranged crown. The leaves are coppery
green with red splashes of colour. This gives them a mottled appearance.
The leaves are large and broad with teeth around the edge. They can be
1020 cm long and 15 cm wide. The leaves are finely hairy. They can be
flat or crinkled. The flowers are reddish in spikes at the end of branches.
They have separate male and female flowers on the same plant. The male
flowers are in long spikes which hang downwards while the female
flowers are in short spikes. They do not show up easily as they are often
hidden among the leaves. The flower stalks are 1020 cm long.
Contents
1 Distribution
2 Diseases
3 Culture
3.1 Light
3.2 Moisture
3.3 Hardiness
3.4 Propagation
4 Usage
5 Medicinal value
6 Features
7 Other details
7.1 Found in
7.2 Synonyms
7.3 Other name
8 Gallery
9 References
Distribution
A tropical and subtropical plant. A plant which grows naturally in Vanuatu. It occurs in the Pacific Islands. It prefers
light well drained soil. It suits a protected shady position. It is damaged by both drought and frost. It needs a
minimum temperature above 10C. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.
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Mealy bugs in Acalypha
wilkesiana
Diseases
Plant was more susceptible to mealy bug infection, this result in growth retardation
and also cause high fungal contamination's in in vitro studies. To reduce the mealy
bugs infection, 90% ethanol was directly applied to the infestations using paint
brushes.
[1]
Culture
Light
Copperleaf does fine in partial shade or sun. It prefers a position sheltered from
strong winds, and a fertile, organic soil. Indoor plants do well in medium light, but
leaf color develops best on plants kept in bright light.
Moisture
Outdoors, copperleaf does best in a rich, moist, but fast-draining soil. Indoor plants do better in a soilless potting
mix. Keep the medium constantly moist, but not saturated. Daily misting is recommended for indoor plants. Water
sparingly in winter.
Hardiness
USDA Zones 10-11. Although usually given as USDA Zones 10-11, copperleaf seems to have established in Zone
9a in Central Florida. Indoor plants should be kept above 55 F (13 C). Can also be grown as an annual.
Propagation
By stem cuttings at any time of year. Use bottom heat.
Usage
In South Florida and tropical America, copperleaf is a popular outdoor plant that provides color throughout the
year. It is used in mixed hedges and shrub borders and as a specimen shrub. Elsewhere copperleaf is grown as an
annual where its spectacular foliage replaces flowers from late summer until frost. Copperleaf is also grown indoors
as a container plant. However, it must be maintained in a warm, humid, bright environment. Cut off the tips of
growing shoots to get a bushier plant.
The variegated cultivar 'Hoffmannii' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
[2]
Medicinal value
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Acalypha wilkesiana ointment is used to treat fungal skin diseases. Oyelami et al. (2003)
[3]
carried out a non-
comparative study to evaluate the safety and efficiency of Acalypha wilkesiana ointment using 32 Nigerians with
mycological as well as clinical evidence of mycoses. The ointment successfully controlled the mycoses in 73.3% of
the affected patients.
It was very effective in treating Pityriasis versicolor, Tinea pedia and Candida intetrigo, with 100% cure.
Oyelami et al. (2003) concluded that Acalypha wilkesiana ointment can be used to treat superficial mycoses.
Akinyemi et al. (2005)
[4]
evaluated crude extracts from six important medicinal plants, namely Phylantus
discoideus, Ageratum conyzoides, Terminalia avicennioides, Bridella ferruginea, Acalypha wilkesiana and
Ocimum gratissimum, to find activity against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA. Water and
ethanolic extracts of these plants were obtained locally. MRSA strains isolated from patients were used. Both
ethanolic and water extracts showed effects on MRSA. Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum
inhibition concentration (MIC) of these plants ranged from 30.4-37.0 g/ml and 18.2-24.0 g/ml respectively. A
high MBS value was found in two plants and the other four contained traceable amounts of anthraquinones. This
study provided scientific support for the use of Acalypha wilkesiana, T. avicennioides, O. gratissimum and P.
discoidens against MRSA based diseases. A. conyzoides and B. ferruginea were unresponsive against the MRSA
strains.
[1]
Features
This remarkable plant has foliage that is more colorful than many flowers! Other names for Acalypha wilkesiana
include A. amentacea and A. tricolor. There is another popular member of the genus Acalypha that is grown in
South Florida and in greenhouses and conservatories as well. It is the red-hot-cattail (A. hispida) that is grown for
its long brightly colored, fuzzy catkins.
Other details
Found in
Africa, Asia, Australia, The Bahamas,Bermuda, Fiji, Hawaii, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria,
Norfolk Island, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Polynesia, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Uganda, USA,
Vanuatu, Vietnam.
Synonyms
Acalypha tricolor; Acalypha amentacea Roxb. var. wilkesiana (Muell. Arg.) Fosberg.
Other name
Fijian fire plant, Fire Dragon Plant, Beefsteak Plant, Hu-ling, Redleaf, Joseph's coat, Hoja de Cobre, Huu-krataai,
Tai tuong, Mexican payasito, Match-Me-If-You-Can.
Gallery
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Acalypha wilkesiana at
Courtallam
References
1. ^
a

b
Arun Nagarajan, Peter G Alderson, Udhaya Arivalagan, (2003). Effective Surface Sterilization and Callus
Induction Protocol for Copper Leaf (Acalypha Wilkesiana). International Journal of Applied Biotechnology and
Biochemistry, 3(1) pp. 37-49.
2. ^ RHS Plant Selector Acalypha wilkesiana 'Hoffmannii' AGM / RHS Gardening
(http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=2088)
3. ^ Oyelami, O.A. Onayemi, O. Oladimeji, A. Onawunmi, O. (2003), Clinical Evaluation of Acalypha ointment in the
treatment of superficial fungal skin diseases. Phytotherapy Research (Wiley Interscience), 17: 555-557.
4. ^ Akinyemi, Kabir. Oladapo, Olukayode. Okawara, Chidi. and Fasure. (2006), Screening of crude extracts of six
medicinal plants used in South-west nigerian unorthodox medicine for anti-methicillin resistant Staphylococcus
aureus activity. BMC Complementary and alternative medicine, 1-7.
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Categories: Acalypha
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