Acalypha californica Bentham

Copperleaf
Euphorbiaceae - Malpighiales

[Plants of San Diego County HOME]

Protologue: Bot. Voy. Sulphur: 51 (1844)
Pronunciation: A-ca-l`y-pha ca-li-fór-ni-ca
Etymology: Gr. akalephes, nettle, applied by Linnaeus to this genus because of the nettle-like appearance of the leaves
+ of / from California

Jepson eFlora Treatment

SD County Synoptic Voucher

Distribution:
 
Left: S.D. County Plant Atlas (http://sdplantatlas.org). Right: CCH2. Click to see current herbarium records.  

Acalypha californica
Shrub, on floor of desert valley. From a distance an often coppery hue gives the plant its common name.


Acalypha californica
Close-up of leaves and inflorescences, a solitary female flower (above) and an immature spike of male flowers (below). Thus, plant is monoecious.