#2 Acalypha wilkesiana Common Names: copperleaf, Joseph's coat, fire-dragon, match-me-if-you-can Family: Euphorbiaceae (spurge Family) Get link to this Profile or click for Datasheet Wallpaper Gallery (1 images)

Here's Acalypha wilkesiana creating a spectacle of itself against the green backdrop of the Fairchild Tropical Garden in Miami, Florida.

Location
Copperleaf is native to Fiji and nearby islands in the South Pacific. It has escaped from cultivation and become established in disturbed sites in a few scattered localities in central Florida.

Culture
Light:Copperleaf does fine in partial shade or sun. It prefers a position sheltered from strong winds, and a fertile, organic soil. Indoor plants do well in medium light, but leaf color develops best on plants kept in bright light.
Moisture: Outdoors, copperleaf does best in a rich, moist, but fast-draining soil. Indoor plants do better in a soilless potting mix. Keep the medium constantly moist, but not saturated. Daily misting is recommended for indoor plants. Water sparingly in winter.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 10 - 11. Although usually given as USDA Zones 10-11, copperleaf seems to have established in Zone 9a in Central Florida. Indoor plants should be kept above 55ºF (12.8ºC). Can also be grown as an annual.
Propagation: By stem cuttings at any time of year. Use bottom heat.

Copperleaf foliage varies in color and pattern from variety to variety and even on the same individual for that matter but is always bright and beautiful.

Features
This remarkable plant has foliage that is more colorful than many flowers! Other names for Acalypha wilkesiana include A. amentacea and A. tricolor.

There's another popular member of the genus Acalypha that is grown in South Florida and in greenhouses and conservatories as well. It is the red-hot-cattail (A. hispida) that is grown for its long brightly colored, fuzzy catkins.

Steve Christman 10/09/99; updated 1/16/04

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