Common Copperleaf (Plants of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Grounds, Chicago, Illinois)

Common Copperleaf

Acalypha rhomboidea

Summary ⁷

Acalypha rhomboidea ( Common three-seeded mercury,Rhombic three-seeded-mercury,Rhomboid mercury, Copperleaf,Rhombic copper-leaf, Three-seeded-mercury,Ricinelle rhomboide,Diamond threeseed mercury; syn. Acalypha urticifolia Raf., Acalypha virginica L. forma intermedia Millsp., Acalypha virginica L. var. rhombifolia Riddell,Acalypha virginica L. var. rhomboidea (Raf.) Cooperr.) is a plant in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae.

Comments ⁸

There are several Acalypha spp. in Illinois; the number of seeds per fruit can range from 1 to 3 (usually the latter), depending on the species. The species described here, Acalypha rhomboidea, is very similar to Acalypha virginica, except that the latter has 9-15 lobes in the bract that surrounds the inflorescence at the base of the petiole. Some authorities consider the former species to be merely a variety of the latter. The foliage of Acalypha spp. often becomes purplish tan during the fall, which has inspired the common name, 'Copperleaf.' This common name is often used in the agricultural industry. Return