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Acalypha wilkesiana

Acalypha wilkesiana Mull. Arg. in DC., Prodr. 15(2): 817.1866; Pax in Engl., Pflanzenreich 4. 147. 16: 153. 1924; Fl. China @ eFlora.org 11: 255; Fl. Pak. @ eFloras.org p. 68.

Shrubs, 1-3 m tall, monoecious. Stem erect, much branched, young shoots tomentose, later puberulous, not glandular. Leaves alternate; stipules 3-7 mm long, narrow linear, subulate, pubescent; petioles 0.5-3 (-5) cm, pubescent or pilose; leaf blade broadly ovate, sometimes contracted and deformed at base, shortly obtusely or acutely acuminate, base rounded-cuneate to cordate, margin coarsely crenate-serrate, 7-11-nerved from base, both surfaces pubescent at first, especially along the midrib and veins, later glabrescent, often copper- or bronze-coloured, sometimes white or pink-margined, red or purple-spotted or variegated. Inflorescences axillary, unbranched, unisexual, occasionally bisexual (male inflorescence bearing few female flowers at base). Male inflorescence pedunculate, pendulous, 5-34 cm long (including up to 3.5 cm long peduncle), fairly dense flowered, with a pubescent axis. Male flowers: Shortly pedicellate, 9-17 in clusters, clusters glomerate, buds tetragonal, pubescent; bracts lanceolate, ca. 1 mm long; pedicels ca. 1 mm long. Sepals 4, ovate, valvate, ca. 0.7 mm long, reddish, pubescent outside. Stamens 8; filaments 0.5 mm long, gelatinous, broad, anther thecae distinct, oblong or linear, later elongated and twisted at maturity. Petals, disc and pistillodes absent. Female inflorescence 5-15 cm long, peduncle ca. 3.5 cm long, inflorescence axis pubescent; bracts laxly arranged, broadly ovate, up to 6-15 mm long and 5-12 mm wide, 7-11 lobed, medium lobe largest and broadly ovate and laterals smaller and narrower, 1(2)-flowered. Female Flowers: Sessile, actinomorphic, hypogynous. Sepals 3-4 (-5), ovate-lanceolate, 0.5-1 mm long, acute, ciliate. Ovary superior, subglobose, trilobate (or 4-lobate), ca. 1 mm in diameter, densely pilose, 3-(4)-locular with 1 ovule per loculus, placentation axile; styles 3, 5-8 mm long, 9-15 laciniate, yellowish, greenish-white or reddish. Petals, disc and staminodes absent.

Capsules ca. 2 mm long and ca. 4 mm in diameter, 3- or 4-lobate, smooth, pubescent or sparingly villous. Seeds globose, ca. 2 mm in diameter, smooth. (Capsules not observed)

Flowering and Fruiting: Throughout the year
Common Names: Copperleaf, Joseph’s Coat, Fire Dragon

 Plant  Young shoot  Shoot with Male and Female Inflorescences  Leaf (Abaxial view)-Veins pubescent  Stipules  Male Inflorescence  Male Inflorescence  Male floral buds  Male Inflorescence- a part  Male Flowers  Male flower  Female Inflorescence  Female flowers  Female flower with fruit and bract  Female Flower  Sepals in Female Flower  Female flower   Fruit  T.S.Fruit