Acalypha indica L.

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Near Shashe Wilderness Camp, Shashe River

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Synonyms:	Acalypha bailloniana Müll. Arg. Acalypha chinensis Benth. Acalypha cupamenii Dragend. Acalypha decidua Forssk. Acalypha somalensis Pax Acalypha somalium Müll. Arg. Acalypha spicata Forssk. Cupamenis indica (L.) Raf. Ricinocarpus baillonianus (Müll.Arg.) Kuntze Ricinocarpus deciduus (Forssk.) Kuntze Ricinocarpus indicus (L.) Kuntze
Common names:
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Erect annual herb, up to c. 1.2 m tall. Stems longitudinally ribbed and pubescent. Leaves rhombic-ovate, up to 7 × 5 cm, 5-veined from the base, hairless to finely velvety on both surfaces; margin toothed except near the base. Flowers in axillary spikes, unisexual on the same inflorescence. Female flowers below, held in shallowly cup-shaped bracts with toothed margins; male flowers above, very small, yellowish-green. Fruit 1.5 × 2 mm, 3-lobed, tuberculate, pubescent.
Notes:	This species is part of a closely related group, including A. crenata and A. segetalis.
Derivation of specific name:	indica: of India
Habitat:	In shade along rivers, seasonal water courses and pans, at the base of rocky outcrop, often in sandy soils and disturbed areas.
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Thoughout the Old World tropics and introduced into the warmer parts of the New World.
Botswana distribution:	N,SW,SE
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Literature:	Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 2. As Acalypha indica bailloniana Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 2. As Acalypha indica bailloniana Heath, A. & Heath, R. (2009). Field Guide to the Plants of Northern Botswana including the Okavango Delta Kew Publishing Page 87. (Includes a picture). Kirby, G. (2013). Wild Flowers of Southeast Botswana Struik Nature, Cape Town South Africa Page 79. (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 40. Radcliffe-Smith, A. (1996). Euphorbiaceae Flora Zambesiaca 9(4) Pages 206 - 207. Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 55.

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Flora of Caprivi: Acalypha indica
Flora of Malawi: Acalypha indica
Flora of Mozambique: Acalypha indica
Flora of Zambia: Acalypha indica
Flora of Zimbabwe: Acalypha indica

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Acalypha indica
African Plant Database: Acalypha indica
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Acalypha indica
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Acalypha indica
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Acalypha indica
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Acalypha indica
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Acalypha indica
JSTOR Plant Science: Acalypha indica
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Acalypha indica
Plants of the World Online: Acalypha indica
Tropicos: Acalypha indica
Wikipedia: Acalypha indica