Acalypha alopecuroidea Jacq., Euphorbiaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Common name(s): [more details]

English: foxtail copperleaf

Spanish: cadillo de mazorca, gusanillo, mazorquilla, rabo de gato

Habit:  herb

Description:  "Erect herb branched from near the base, 15-60 cm high; leaves ovate, acuminate, shortly cordate at base, serrate, thinly hispid with short and long hairs, 3.5-8 cm long, up to 4.5 cm broad; petiole 1-4 (-7) cm long, male spikes axillary, 3-9 mm long; female spikes terminal or axillary, 5-20 mm long, with a bristlelike appendage tipped by an aborted flower; capsule 1.3-1.4 mm long; seeds ellipsoidal, reddish-brown, about 1 mm long"  (Adams, 1972; p. 423).

Pubescent herb with alternate leaves, catkin-like male inflorescences, and reddish ellipsoid, soft-bristly female inflorescences" (Whistler, 1988; p. 17).

Habitat/ecology:  "Rare in disturbed places in Samoa" (Whistler, 1988; p. 17).  In Jamaica, "rather common as a weed of damp shady roadside ditches, cultivation and waste places on limestone"  (Adams, 1972; p. 423).

Propagation:  Seed

Native range:  Mexico to Venezuela, West Indies (Adams, 1972; p. 423).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island		Whistler, W. A. (1988) (p. 17) Voucher cited: Whistler 5139

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Costa Rica (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	El Salvador (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Honduras (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Nicaragua (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Panama (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Colombia	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Ecuador (Republic of) (continental)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Perú (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Also reported from
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	USA (Florida)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Nat. Res. Cons. Serv. (2013)

Control:  If you know of control methods for Acalypha alopecuroidea, please let us know.