Acalypha virginica Linnaeus. Common name: Virginia Copperleaf. Phenology: Late Jun-Nov. Habitat: Woodlands and disturbed ground. Distribution: ME west to IN, IL, MO, and KS, south to c. GA and TX.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, C, F, FNA12, G, GrPl, GW2, Il, K4, Mi, NcTx, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, S, S13, Tat, Tn, Tx, Va, W, Levin (1999b); = Acalypha virginica L. var. virginica — Govaerts, Frodin, & Radcliffe-Smith (2000). Basionym: Acalypha virginica L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Acalypha virginica - FNA12
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
- Great Plains: FACU
- Midwest: FACU
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACU
Heliophily ⓘ: 6
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© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Aidan Campos source | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
© Joey Shaw source | Original Image ⭷
© Aidan Campos source | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect annual of dry oak-hickory forests, woodlands, barrens, outcrops, clearings, riverside prairies and weedy, disturbed habitats.
Stems: Stems occasionally branched, light to medium green and densely hairy.
Leaves: Leaves alternate, long-petiolate, elliptic to lance-shaped, to 3 in. long, with round-toothed margins, sparsely hairy; leaves often crowded toward top of plant.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers in axillary clusters, each resting on a leaf-like bract that is loosely folded around a short spike of male flowers and 1-3 female flowers; male flowers 1/8 in. wide, consisting of a 4-lobed calyx, no petals, and several stamens; female flowers 1/4 in. wide, consisting of insignificant sepals, no petals, and a 3-valved, round ovary with short divided styles.
Fruits: Fruit a tiny, hairy, 3-lobed capsule.
Comments:
Height: 6-24 in.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Erect annual of dry oak-hickory forests, woodlands, barrens, outcrops, clearings, riverside prairies and weedy, disturbed habitats.
stems: Stems occasionally branched, light to medium green and densely hairy.
leaves: Leaves alternate, long-petiolate, elliptic to lance-shaped, to 3 in. long, with round-toothed margins, sparsely hairy; leaves often crowded toward top of plant.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers in axillary clusters, each resting on a leaf-like bract that is loosely folded around a short spike of male flowers and 1-3 female flowers; male flowers 1/8 in. wide, consisting of a 4-lobed calyx, no petals, and several stamens; female flowers 1/4 in. wide, consisting of insignificant sepals, no petals, and a 3-valved, round ovary with short divided styles.
fruits: Fruit a tiny, hairy, 3-lobed capsule.
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range:
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