Acalypha nemorum

Family: Euphorbiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

There are over 450 Acalypha species. They are tropical. There are 225 in tropical America.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. A native plant of New South Wales in Australia. It prefers light to medium soil. It suits a protected shaded position. It is frost resistant but drought tender.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The leaves when cooked can be eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

It can be grown by cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Acalypha cunninghamii Müll.Arg. Ricinocarpus cunninghamii (Müll.Arg.) Kuntze Ricinocarpus nemorum (F.Muell. ex Müll.Arg.) Kuntze