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Acalypha hispida

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Acalypha hispida Burm.f.

Family Name: Euphorbiaceae
Synonyms: Acalypha sanderi
Common Name: Chenille Plant, Red Hot Cat's Tail, Red Cattail, Ekor Kuching, Buntut Kucing, Cat's Tail

Chenille Plant (Acalypha hispida) is a tropical shrub that produces soft and furry red pendulous flowers hanging down from the leaf axils, resembling strands of yarn or cat's tail that can be as long as 45 cm! It is easy to grow to a large shrub but can be maintained as a small plant by regular pruning, best planted on the ground as accent plant or grown in elevated containers.

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form Shrub
Lifespan (in Singapore) Semi-Annual / Annual-Like
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Shrubby, Open
Maximum Height 1.5 m to 4.5 m
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width 1 m to 2.5 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Malesia and New Guinea
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Non-native (Spontaneous (Casual))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Erect, rough textured shrub which is able to grow up to about 1.5 - 3.5 m tall and 1 - 2 m wide.
Foliage Simple, alternate leaves measuring about 10 - 20 cm long and 7 - 10 cm wide. 
Stems Woody stems
Flowers Male and female red flowers on separate plants, clustered in catkins and measuring up to 40 cm long.
Etymology Genus name Acalypha comes from the Greek word akelpe, which means unpleasant to touch.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Container Planting, Suitable for Hanging Baskets
Usage Hazard - Cons Toxic Upon Ingestion

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Pollination Method(s) Abiotic (Wind), Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee))
Seed or Spore Dispersal Abiotic (Wind)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Semi-Shade, Full Sun
Water Preference Lots of Water, Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils
Soil pH Range From 6
Soil pH Range To 8
Transplanting Tolerance Moderate
Maintenance Requirements Moderate
Pruning Can be pruned periodically to control its size and make the plant bushier.
Potential Problems Spider mites, mealy bugs and scale insects may be a problem.
Propagation Method Stem Cutting, Leaf Cutting
Planting Distance 1 m to 2 m

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) Green
Young Flush Texture(s) Smooth
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Oval)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Serrate / Toothed
Foliar Apex - Tip Acuminate
Foliar Base Cordate
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Unisexual Flowers , Dioecious
Flower Colour(s) Red
Flower Texture(s) Velvety / Furry / Tomentose
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Axillary
Flower Symmetry Radial
Inflorescence Type Catkin
Flowering Period Free-Flowering
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

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Master ID 290
Species ID 1586
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.
Species record last updated on: 30 December 2022.
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