Acalypha wilkesiana (Copperleaf, Jacob’s Coat, Fire dragon)
This large, fast-growing, evergreen shrub provides a continuous splash of color in the landscape with the bronze red red, heart-shaped leaves. Different cultivars have different unique color combinations in shades of red, copper, bronze, purple, white and/or green. The colorful leaves of these plant makes it fits perfectly as a specimen or accent plantings. The dense, much-branched growth habit creates a full shape but plants occasionally need strong pruning. The plant reaches 2.5-3 m in height therefore perfect for hedge plantation. The unusual, red, fuzzy, catkin-like flowers hang from leaf axils and are 10-12 cm. Copper-Leaf grows easily in full sun in frost-free locations. While tolerant of drought, it looks its best when provided with regular watering during drought and will grow on a wide variety of garden soils.
- Landscape Information
- Botanical Description
- Horticulture Management
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By Tauʻolunga (Own work) [GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons
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French Name: Flore de La Réunion
Pronunciation: ack-uh-LIFE-uh wilk-see-AY-nuh
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Plant type: Shrub
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Origin: Ceylon, Hawaii, Polynesia
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Heat Zones: 1 to 16
Hardiness Zones: 10 to 13
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Uses: Screen, Hedge, Specimen, Wildlife
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Size/Shape
Growth Rate: Fast
Tree Shape: Round
Canopy Symmetry: Symmetrical
Canopy Density: Dense
Canopy Texture: Medium
Height at Maturity: 1.5 to 3 m
Spread at Maturity: 1.5 to 3 meters
Time to Ultimate Height: 5 to 10 Years
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Foliage
Leaf Arrangement : Alternate
Leaf Venation: Pinnate
Leaf Persistance: Evergreen
Leaf Type: Simple
Leaf Blade: 5 - 10 cm
Leaf Shape: Lanceolate
Leaf Margins: Serrate
Leaf Texture: Rough
Leaf Scent: Unpleasant
Color(growing season): Green, Variegated
Color(changing season): Green
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Flower
Flower Size Range: 10 - 20
Flower Type: Catkin
Flower Sexuality: Monoecious (Bisexual)
Flower Scent: No Fragance
Flower Color: Green
Seasons: Summer
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Trunk
Trunk Susceptibility to Breakage: Generally resists breakage
Number of Trunks: Multi-Trunked
Trunk esthetic Values: Not Showy
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Fruit
Fruit Type: Capsule
Fruit Size Range: 7 - 10
Fruit Color: Brown
Seasons: Summer
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Tolerance
Frost Tolerant: Yes
Heat Tolerance: Yes
Salt Tolerance: Good
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Requirements
Soil Requirements: Loam, Sand
Soil Ph Requirements: Acidic, Neutral
Water Requirements: Moderate
Light Requirements: Part, Shade
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Management
Susceptibility to Pests and Diseases: No
Pruning Requirements: Needed, to develop a strong structure
Fruit/ Leaves/ Flowers litter: No
Life Span: Less than 25
Pests: Mites, Scales, Aphids
Plant Propagation: Cutting, Layering