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Acalypha wilkesiana 'Java White'

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Acalypha wilkesiana 'Java White'

Family Name: Euphorbiaceae
Common Name: 'Java White' Copper Leaf

The 'Java White' Copper Leaf has attractive light green to yellowish green leaves with splashes of dark green. This ornamental plant is ideal for any parks and gardens and grows well under full sun on moist, well-drained soil.

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Infraspecific Epithet
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Shrub
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Shrubby

Biogeography

Native Distribution East Indies & the South Pacific
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal
Local Conservation Status Non-native

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Shrub which grows to about 2 - 3 m high and 2 m wide
Foliage Bright yellow to light green foliage with irregular splashes of green
Flowers Both male and female flowers are produced in long, thin spikes
Cultivation This plant grows best in full sun on moist, well-drained soil. Prune occasionally to enhance bushiness.
Etymology The genus Acalypha means unpleasant to touch.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping Ideal for parks and gardens for its variegated light green to yellowish green leaves with splashes of dark green. This plant can also be grown as hedge for screening purpose.
Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses Parks & Gardens, Hedge / Screening

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Semi-Shade
Water Preference Lots of Water, 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
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Glossy / Shiny, Smooth
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) Green - Light Green, Yellow / Golden
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)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Serrate / Toothed
Foliar Apex - Tip Acuminate
Foliar Base Attenuate
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Unisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Red
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Inflorescence Type Raceme

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Fruit Type Indehiscent Dry Fruit
Seed Description Very small and hard

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 295
Species ID 1591
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: 25 September 2021.
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