Scientific Name:
Acalypha pendula
Pronunciation:
ack-uh-LIFE-uh PEN-dew-luh
Common Name:
dwarf chenille plant, firetail
Family Name:
Euphorbiaceae
Plant Type:
Annual
Key ID Features:
Pendulous annual container plant; stems finely pubescent; leaves ovate, most 3-5cm long x 2-4cm wide, dark green, toothed, undersides pubescent, ciliate margin; spikes fuzzy, catkin-like, most 5-10cm long, florets tiny.
Habit:
Pendulous
Form:
Weeping
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
0.2 - 0.4m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Australia / New Zealand
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 9: (-7 to -1 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Humus rich, Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Container planting, Hanging basket
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Pubescent
Shapes:
Ovate
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Rounded
Margins:
Ciliate, Dentate, Serrate
Inflorescence Type:
Catkin (ament), Spike-like
Flower Morphology:
Dioecious plant
Number Of Petals:
0
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Red
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Fruit Type:
Schizocarp
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Not showy,
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green
Propagation:
Seed, Cuttings, Stem tip cuttings
Optimal Temp.:
Medium
Light Level:
Medium
Other:
Medicinal: Traditional Folk Medicine: In indonesia, a root and flower decoction is used for hemoptysis. Leaf poultice used for leprosy. In Malaya, decoction of leaves and flowers taken internally as laxative and diuretic for gonorrhea.
Pest Susceptibility:
(Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Deer resistant)
