Acalypha wilkesiana
Other names: Acalypha amentacea subsp. wilkesiana, A. godseffiana)
Common Names: Acalypha, Fijian Fire Plant, Fire Dragon Plant, Beefsteak Plant, Copperleaf
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Grown for their foliage, these shrubs come in an amazing range of leaf colours and shapes. Often seen surviving in old gardens in Queensland, which indicates how tough and drought-tolerant they can be, but suitable for modern landscapes because of their sustained, vibrant colour.
Use as an informal hedge, or in mixed shrub border. Often seen in nurseries these days are finer-leaved, dwarfer varieties which can be used en masse as large groundcovers.
Cut back once a year in spring (just before summer growth comences) to keep to desired size and bushiness. Otherwise, very easy to look after.
Where to buy Acalypha
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Acalypha wilkesiana varieties in a range of leaf colours and shapes are generally available in Queensland garden centres.
If you can't find them in your local nursery, or would prefer to buy online, try National Tropical Plants
While the grouncover A.reptans is sometimes available in garden centres, unfortunately, the editor doesn't know of any commercial outlets of the large "cat's tail" type Acalypha. If you operate a nursery supplying these plants in Australia, perhaps you can get in touch. For native species, try a native plant nursery.
More Links
Copper Plant Acalypha amentacea ssp. Wilkesiana. Texas A&M University
Acalypha amentacea Copperleaf. Online Manual of Subtropical Landscaping Plants, Palm Beach Community College, Florida
Pacific flora database of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, USA. Look for Acalypha in the "Choose A Plant" menu
Copperleaf ( Acalypha wilkesiana) at Flowers of India
Other acalypha species
While the flowers of A. wilkesiana have insignificant flowers, there are other species in the genus Acalypha which are grown promarily for their showy inflorescences. You may have difficulty finding some of these in the marketplace in Australia.
Acalypha hispida Chenille Plant. Online Manual of Subtropical Landscaping Plants, Palm Beach Community College, Florida
Acalypha pendula Trailing Chenille, Dwarf Chenille. Online Manual of Subtropical Landscaping Plants, Palm Beach Community College, Florida
Kitten's Tail (Acalypha pendula) Whatcom County Extension, Washington State University
Acalypha nemorum (Hairy acalypha, southern acalypha) Brisbane Rainforest Action & Information Network
Acalypha eremorum (Soft acalypha, turkey bush) Brisbane Rainforest Action & Information Network
More information and ideas for using Acalypha coming to this page in future updates. If you're responsible for promoting new Acalypha varieties in Queensland, please please get in touch about advertising your new plant on htis page.
Possible Misspellings: Acalipha, Acalypher
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