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Acalypha siamensis (Variegated Leaf)
| Family Name: | Euphorbiaceae |
A compact shrub that has attractive green leaves with white patches makes this variegated Wild Tea often cultivated as ornamental hedges in parks and gardens. It grows well on moist, well-drained soils under full sun.
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Shrubby |
Biogeography
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Compact shrub, able to grow to about 1 - 2 m tall and 1 - 2 m wide. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Green leaves with patches of white, having a short petiole, serrated along the margins, elliptic to obovate in shape, alternately arranged, |
| Flowers | Female flowers at the base of the spikes, subtended by large bracts with toothed margins; male flowers subtended by minute bracts toward the end of the spike. |
| Fruit | Fruits are light green and spiny. |
| Cultivation | Grows well under full sun on moist, well-drained soil. Prune regularly to enhance bushiness. |
| Etymology | Genus name Acalypha comes from the Greek word akelpe, which means unpleasant to touch. Species siamensis means from Thailand. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | Can be grown as hedges or plant bed border for its ornamental leaves. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Hedge / Screening |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Yellow / Golden, White |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Obovate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Doubly Serrate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Acute |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Green - Light Green |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green - Light Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Thorny / Spiny |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 293 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1589 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
