Poiret's copperleaf is a tropical annual weed native to Texas, Mexico, Central, and South America in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). The genus name comes from the Greek name for nettles because of the nettle-like appearance of the leaves. This plant is considered a weed of disturbed areas and grows in full sun to partial shade in sandy and loamy soils. It will grow to 18 inches tall and spread 2-3 feet wide. The leaves and stem have white hairs and the flowers appear in short spikes during late summer into fall. Control is best done by hand weeding and preventing the plant from setting seed. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems More information on Acalypha .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 3 in. - 1 ft. 6 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Crenate; Serrate
Leaf size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Oval green leaves with white hairs have serrated edges. Base is rounded and tip is acute. They are 3/4 to 1 inch long and
Flower color
Green
Flower value
Long-lasting; Showy
Flower form
Insignificant; Spike
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Small flowers surrounded by bracks appear in short spikes in leaf axils. The Male flowers are on the upper portion and the female flowers are on the lower portion of the spike, Blooms late summer into fall
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
The three-parted capsule has hairs.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
green stem with white hairs
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
TX, Mexico, Central America, South America
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Winter
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Garden tags
#summer flowers #partial shade tolerant #annual #disturbed areas
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Twospotted Spider Mite; Soft Scale Identification and Management on Ornamental Plants; Mealybugs Found on Flowers and Foliage