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Acalypha wilkesiana 'Moorea'
| Family Name: | Euphorbiaceae |
| Common Name: | Wilkes' Acalypha, Copperleaf, Firedragon |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Shrubby |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | East Indies & the Pacific |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a spreading and erect shrub growing up to 2 - 3 m. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are large, round palmate-like leaves with serrated margin, coppery-bronze to green in colour. |
| Stems | Multi-stemmed. |
| Flowers | Flowers are borne in a cluster called inflorescence, pinkish catkins. |
| Cultivation | Requires occasional maintenance, grows best in nutrient rich soils. |
| Etymology | The genus Acalypha means unpleasant to touch. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | Its large attractive leaves makes it suitable for general garden landscape, mass planting and container planting. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Container Planting |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water, Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Purple, Red |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Orbicular / Round) |
| Foliar Venation | Palmate |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Inflorescence Type | Catkin |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 296 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1592 |
| 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. |
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