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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.

Family
Euphorbiaceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Leaf · Root
Common names
Copperleaf · Three-Seeded Mercury · 3 more
Scientific synonyms
Gymnalypha · Acalyphopsis · 7 more

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Acalypha

Synonyms

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

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Malpighiales
Family Euphorbiaceae
Genus Acalypha

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (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
Southeastern Europe Bulgaria
Southeastern Europe Italy
Southeastern Europe Romania
Eastern Europe Ukraine
Macaronesia Canary Is.
Macaronesia Cape Verde
Macaronesia Madeira
West Tropical Africa Benin
West Tropical Africa Burkina
West Tropical Africa Gambia

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Plant Parts

Acalypha has 3 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, stem.

Plant parts reported in Acalypha
Plant part Supporting sources Consensus
Leaf 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Root 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Stem 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Leaf

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Root

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Stem

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Acalypha has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antioxidant.

Activities reported in Acalypha
Activity Supporting sources Consensus
Antibacterial 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antifungal 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Antibacterial

  1. PhytoKeys

Antifungal

  1. PhytoKeys

Antioxidant

  1. PhytoKeys

Conditions

Acalypha has 10 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include asthma, bronchitis, dysentery, eczema, fever.

Conditions investigated for Acalypha
Condition Supporting sources Consensus
Asthma 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Bronchitis 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Dysentery 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Eczema 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Fever 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Hypertension 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Jaundice 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Mycoses 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Scabies 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Schistosomiasis 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Asthma

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Bronchitis

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Dysentery

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Eczema

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fever

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hypertension

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Jaundice

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Mycoses

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Scabies

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Schistosomiasis

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology