Acalypha wilkesiana 'Mosaica' (Match-Me-If-You-Can, Jacobs Coat, Beefsteak Plant, Fijian Fire Plant, Fire Dragon Plant, Redleaf)
Botanical Information
| Family | Euphorbiaceae |
| Genus | Acalypha |
| Species | wilkesiana |
| Cultivar | 'Mosaica' |
| Synonyms | Acalypha circinata, Acalypha compacta, Acalypha godseffiana, Acalypha hamiltoniana, Acalypha illustris, Acalypha macafeeana, Acalypha macrophylla, Acalypha marginata, Acalypha musaica, Acalypha torta, Acalypha tricolor, Acalypha triumphans, Ricinocarpus w |
| Category | Tropicals |
| Type | Shrub (evergreen) |
| Origin | Pacific Islands for the species. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 10a - 11 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cold season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H1c - H3 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -5 - 10 |
| Temperature (°F) | 23 - 50 |
| Height | 0.9 - 1.8 m |
| Spread | 0.9 - 1.8 m |
| Growth | Fast |
| Flowering Period | June |
Description and Growing Information
| Propagation | Tip cuttings 8 - 10 cm long in early spring or by short side-shoots. |
| Cultivation | Grow in full sun to part shade in light, well-drained, average to moderately-fertile sand to loam, within 5.5 to 7 pH. Shelter from strong winds. |
| Pests | Scale insects, spider mites, whiteflies, mealybugs, downy mildew, powdery mildew, rust leaf spots, and fungal root rot. |
| Notable Specimens | The A.M. Cuddy Gardens, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada. Centennial Conservatory, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. |
| Habitat | Tropical and subtropical rainforest, dry rainforest and vine thickets. |
| Bark/Stem Description | The stem is erect with many branches. The branches have fine hairs. It has a closely arranged crown. |
| Leaf Description | Leaves grow to 12 cm long and 5 cm wide. They are pointed and oval in shape, with fine hairs. Can be flat or crinkled. |
| Flower Description | Flowers are stiletto-shaped and grow at the end of branches. They have separate male and female flowers on the same plant. The male flowers are long and downward hanging and the female flowers are much shorter. Flowers are sometimes hard to see, as they are often hidden among the leaves. |
| Colour Description | Leaves are coppery green, mottled and streaked with copper, red and purple. Flowers are red. |
Photographs
Acalypha wilkesiana 'Mosaica', Form
Acalypha wilkesiana 'Mosaica', Leaf
Acalypha wilkesiana 'Mosaica', Flower
Acalypha wilkesiana 'Mosaica', Spring.