 Thought
to be from Malaysia, this upright, soft-stemmed shrub is grown for
its striking, tiny, bright red flowers that hang in pendulous,
tassel-like spikes on the female plants.
Leaves are large, oval and bright green to reddish bronze. It
reaches a height and spread of 6 ft (1.8 m).
Regular pruning will maintain a bushy shape. It does best in
sheltered sites in full sun.
Cultivation: They need a sunny to semi-shaded position,
well-drained, light soil with plenty of water and protection from
wind.
Prune lightly to shape followed by additional feeding and watering.
Propagate from cuttings .
Medical use: Acalypha hispida leaf extracts are used locally for the
treatment of skin infections. |
