Acalypha kerrii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Acalypha gagnepainii
• Acalypha lacei
• Acalypha heterostachya

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Acalypha kerrii, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling under the order Malpighiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Euphorbiaceae and the genus Acalypha.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be found throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its presence also extends into the Indo-China peninsula. Specifically, the species is documented growing in the country of Myanmar. Finally, its geographical range includes the nations of Thailand and Vietnam.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Acalypha kerrii is characterized by its specific niche within low-to-mid altitude landscapes, where it thrives within a defined vertical distribution. This medicinal species is primarily found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 250 m AMSL to a maximum of 500 m AMSL. Throughout its natural habitat, the plant maintains an average elevation of approximately 375 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for the environmental conditions, such as temperature and atmospheric pressure, typical of these specific lowland elevations.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

375 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

250 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Acalypha kerrii is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a growth form where the majority of its vegetative biomass is held above the ground on visible stems. Within this life strategy, it exhibits characteristics of a nanophanerophyte, indicating a relatively low-growing stature compared to larger woody species, yet maintaining its structural complexity above the soil surface. This life form allows the plant to navigate its specific ecological niche by utilizing elevated stem structures for light competition and reproductive dispersal. Through this developmental strategy, the plant manages its seasonal cycles and resource allocation, ensuring its persistence within its native habitat.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Acalypha kerrii is characterized by its woody growth habit and its nature as a terrestrial plant that functions independently rather than as a parasite or epiphyte. It exhibits a self-supporting climbing structure, allowing it to ascend through its environment. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a height that typically averages around 2 m, with individual specimens ranging from a minimum of 1 m to a maximum height of 3 m.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

2 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological profile of Acalypha kerrii is characterized by significant morphological variability in its foliar dimensions, which play a critical role in its photosynthetic capacity and transpiration regulation. The leaves exhibit a diverse range of sizes, with recorded lengths spanning from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 13 cm, maintaining an overall mean leaf length of 8.5 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation is a distinct breadth in leaf width, which fluctuates from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 7 cm, resulting in a mean leaf width of 4.75 cm. These dimensional fluctuations suggest an adaptive physiological mechanism that allows the plant to optimize light interception and gas exchange across varying environmental conditions.

Leaf length max:

13 cm

Leaf length mean:

8.5 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

7 cm

Leaf width mean:

4.75 cm

Leaf width min:

2.5 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Acalypha kerrii is characterized by its specialized inflorescence and fruit development patterns. The reproductive structures feature an inflorescence that typically measures between a minimum of 0.04 m and a maximum of 0.05 m in length. Following pollination, the plant produces small fruits that exhibit specific dimensional variations. The width of these fruits ranges from a minimum of 0.25 cm to a maximum of 0.3 cm, with an overall average fruit width of approximately 0.275 cm.

Fruit width max:

0.3 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.275 cm

Fruit width min:

0.25 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.05 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.04 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Acalypha kerrii has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Antimicrobial

1. International journal of oncology

Antioxidant

1. International journal of oncology

Cytotoxic

1. International journal of oncology