Acalypha amentacea
Roxb.
Fire dragon acalypha
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-sa
(c) Ahmad Fuad Morad, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Franck Rakotonasolo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Franck Rakotonasolo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Description
A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.
Edible Uses
The leaves are used as a vegetable, though caution is advised.
Medicinal Uses
The plant has medicinal uses. The stem sap is used to treat eye wounds or cataracts.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows on atolls.
Where It Grows
Africa, Caroline Islands, Central America, Costa Rica, Colombia, East Africa, Ecuador, Indonesia, Kiribati, Malaysia, Micronesia, Mozambique, New Guinea, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, South America, St Helena, West Africa,
Cultivation
It can be grown from stem cuttings. It can be grown as a hedge.
Propagation
Seed - Cuttings root easily.
Other Uses
The plant is grown as an ornamental hedge, living fence and boundary marker.
Notes
It is used as medicine.
Synonyms
References (3)
- Burkill,
- PROTA
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
