copperleaf
Acalypha · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (16 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Copperleaf, scientifically known as Acalypha, is a versatile genus of flowering plants valued for its medicinal and ornamental properties. Found across tropical regions, various species are utilized in traditional medicine to treat skin ailments, inflammation, and digestive issues, offering a rich source of bioactive compounds for therapeutic use.
Names
Common Names
- copperleaf
- three-seeded mercury
- Brooms and Brushes
- copperleafs
- three-seeded mercuries
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Linostachys
- Ricinocarpus
- Acalyphes
- Odonteilema
- Mercuriastrum
- Gymnalypha
- Corythea
- Calyptrospatha
- Acalyphinae
- Acalyphopsis
- Usteria
- Cupamenis
- Caturus
- Paracelsea
- Cupameni
- Calytrospatha
- Hojas de cobre
German:
- Nesselblatt
French:
- Ricinocarpus
- Ricinelles
Scientific Names
Accepted name
AcalyphaSynonyms
- Gymnalypha
- Acalyphopsis
- Corythea
- Mercuriastrum
- Linostachys
- Cupameni
- Odonteilema
- Calyptrospatha
- Cupamenis
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized under the order Malpighiales and the family Euphorbiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Acalypha.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Euphorbiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Acalypha | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning several distinct regions of the world. In Southeastern Europe, its presence is documented across Bulgaria, Italy, and Romania. The distribution extends further into Eastern Europe, where it can be found in Ukraine. Additionally, the species reaches the Macaronesian islands, specifically documented in the Canary Is. These varied locations highlight the wide environmental adaptability of the Acalypha species.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Europe | Bulgaria | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Romania | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | Ukraine | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Canary Is. | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Madeira | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Acalypha, utilizes various anatomical structures to support its medicinal properties and biological functions. The roots serve as the foundation, anchoring the plant into the soil and absorbing essential nutrients and water necessary for its growth. Rising from the root system is the stem, which provides structural integrity and acts as a vital conduit for transporting fluids throughout the organism. Finally, the leaves extend from the stem to capture sunlight through photosynthesis, while also housing many of the bioactive compounds that are often harvested for therapeutic uses.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Acalypha has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antioxidant.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | PhytoKeys (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | PhytoKeys (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | PhytoKeys (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Acalypha has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include asthma, bronchitis, dysentery, eczema, fever.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| asthma | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bronchitis | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysentery | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eczema | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| jaundice | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| mycoses | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| scabies | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| schistosomiasis | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |