Painted copperleaf
Acalypha wilkesiana

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

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 10°C. It can grow in arid places. It grows on atolls. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bermuda, Central Africa, China, Congo DR, East Africa, Fiji, Hawaii, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Kiribati, Malaysia, Marquesas, Mexico, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, North America, Pacific (country/location of origin), Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Polynesia, Rotuma, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The cooked young leaves are eaten. The leaves are rich in protein. They are used in stews.

It is not known if it is used as food in Papua New Guinea. It is sold in local markets. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers, vegetable, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. It can be grown from hardwood cuttings taken when growth is less vigorous. It forms a suitable hedge plant.

Its other names

Local names

Akalifa merah tembaga, Beefsteak Plant, Beaf-tea plant, Daun merah tambaga, Fijian fire plant, Fire Dragon Plant, Hu-ling, Joseph's coat, Hoja de Cobre, Huu-krataai, Làlǐyè, Mexican payasito, Redleaf, Saydan-kya, Tai tuong, Te aronga

Synonyms

Acalypha amentacea forma circinata (Müll.Arg.) Fosberg; Acalypha amentacea subsp. wilkesiana (Müll.Arg.) Fosberg; Acalypha circinata A.Gray ex Seem. [Invalid]; Acalypha compacta Guilf. ex C. T. White; Acalypha godseffiana Mast.; Acalypha godseffiana var. heterophylla L. H. Bailey; Acalypha hamiltoniana Briant; Acalypha illustris Pax & K.Hoffm. [Invalid]; Acalypha macafeeana Veitch; Acalypha macrophylla Veitch [Illegitimate]; Acalypha marginata (Mill.) J. J. Sm. [Illegitimate]; Acalypha musaica auct.; Acalypha torta Pax & K.Hoffm. [Invalid]; Acalypha tricolor Seem.; Acalypha triumphans L. Linden & Rodigas; Acalypha wilkesiana forma appendiculata J. W. Moore; Acalypha wilkesiana forma circinata Müll.Arg.; Acalypha wilkesiana forma illustris J. J. Sm.; Acalypha wilkesiana forma macrophylla J. J. Sm.; Acalypha wilkesiana var. marginata E. Morren; Acalypha wilkesiana forma monstrosa J. J. Sm.; Acalypha wilkesiana forma triumphans (L. Linden & Rodigas) J. J. Sm.; Ricinocarpus wilkesianus (Müll.Arg.) Kuntze;