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Acalypha aristata Kunth
| Family Name: | Euphorbiaceae |
| Synonyms: | Acalypha arvensis Poepp., Acalypha capitellata Brandegee |
| Common Name: | Field Copperleaf |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Annual herb that grows up to 0.2 - 0.5 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are deeply veined, ovate to lance-shaped with toothed leaf margin (3 - 6 cm long, 1.5 -3 cm wide). |
| Flowers | Flowers are arranged in hairy, oval-shaped inflorescences (1.5 - 3 cm long). |
| Fruit | Fruit is a small capsule (2 mm long). |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: In Belize, it's used to treat various skin problems, such as fungal infections, ulcers, ringworms and itching. In Haiti, it is used as a treatment for inflammation, indigestion and diarrhoea. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
| Typical Foliar Area | Microphyll ( 2.25cm2 - 20.25 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31343 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5740 |
| 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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