imported>AhmedElMohamedi at 08:31, 24 September 2024

2024-09-24T08:31:44Z

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{{Short description|Flowering shrub}}
{{speciesbox
| name = Chenille plant
| image = Acalypha Hispida DS.jpg
| genus = Acalypha
| species = hispida
| authority = [[Nicolaas Laurens Burman|Burm.f.]]
}}

'''''Acalypha hispida''''', the '''chenille plant''', is a flowering shrub which belongs to the family [[Euphorbiaceae]],<ref name="EDIS">{{cite web | title=''Acalypha hispida'' Chenille Plant | publisher=[[University of Florida]] | url=http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fp004 | accessdate=22 September 2011}}</ref> the subfamily [[Acalyphinae]], and the genus ''[[Acalypha]]''. ''Acalypha'' is the fourth largest genus of the family Euphorbiaceae, and contains many plants native to [[Oceania]].<ref name="Floridata"/>

==Names==
''Acalypha hispida'' is also known as '''Philippine medusa''' and '''red hot cat tail''' in English.<ref name=GRIN>{{GRIN | access-date = 18 August 2021}}</ref> It is cultivated as a house plant because of its attractiveness and brilliantly colored, furry flowers.

The Latin specific epithet ''hispida'' means “bristly”, referring to the pendent flowers which vaguely resemble brushes.<ref name=RHSLG>{{cite book
|last=Harrison
|first=Lorraine
|title=RHS Latin for Gardeners
|year=2012
|publisher=Mitchell Beazley
|location=United Kingdom
|isbn=978-1845337315
}}</ref>

==Origins==
The plant originated in tropical Asia, specifically [[Malesia]] and [[Papuasia]],<ref name="Floridata"/> but has become naturalized to multiple countries in North America, including the United States, Mexico, Nicaragua and Belize. In cultivation it is widespread, particularly as a houseplant, and has gained the [[Royal Horticultural Society]]'s [[Award of Garden Merit]].<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/129/i-Acalypha-hispida-i/Details
|title=''Acalypha hispida''
|publisher=Royal Horticultural Society
|accessdate=23 December 2017}}</ref>

==Description==
It can grow to be {{convert|5|-|12|ft}}<ref name="EDIS"/> tall, and have a spread of {{convert|3|-|6|ft}}, with potted plants being the smallest in growth.<ref name="Floridata">{{cite web | title=''Acalypha hispida'' | publisher=Floridata | url=http://www.floridata.com/ref/a/acal_his.cfm | accessdate=22 September 2011}}</ref> The plant has become somewhat domesticated, due to the nature and color of its flowers. It can be grown from seeds as well as from cuttings. It can be kept either as an outdoor plant or as a [[houseplant]].

The plant is [[dioecious]], and therefore there are distinct male and female members of the species. The female plant bears [[pistillate]] flowers which are 0.7 millimeters long and range in color from purple to bright red, and grow in clusters along catkins <ref name="Floridata"/> that can grow up to fifty centimeters (19.5 inches) or more in length.<ref>{{cite book | last1= Backer | first1= C.A. | last2= Bakhuizer van den Brink | first2= R.C. | date= 1962 | title= Flora of Java - Volume 1 | location= Groningen, Netherlands | publisher= N.V.P. Noordhoff | page= 487 }}</ref> This feature is the primary reason the plant bears the nickname “red-hot cat tail”. The pistillates will grow all year long as long as the temperatures are favorable.<ref name="Floridata"/> The leaves are large, oval and bright green to reddish copper.<ref>Correa A., MD, C. Galdames & M. Stapf. 2004. Cat. Pl. Vasc. Panama 1-599. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama.</ref>

==Cultivation==
When grown as a house plant, it needs bright light but not direct sunlight, and requires high humidity and a temperature of at least {{convert|61|F||sp=us}}. It should be grown in a loose potting soil, rich in organic matter and sand, and must be kept well-watered during the spring and summer. Watering should be reduced somewhat in fall and winter. It is typically propagated from cuttings.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Chiusoli |first1=Alessandro |last2=Boriani |first2=Luisa Maria |title=Simon & Schuster's guide to houseplants |date=1986 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |location=New York |isbn=0671631314}}</ref>

==Chemistry==
The clear [[latex]] is poisonous and can irritate the skin and [[mucous membrane]]s (signs of intoxication do not appear until massive amounts of plants have been absorbed). Roots, leaves and flowers are used for medical purposes. The plant itself is very resistant to diseases, but with a certain vulnerability to [[aphids]], which can colonise it and bring it to death.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034533/http://libproject.hkbu.edu.hk/was40/detail?lang=en&channelid=1288&searchword=herb_id%3DD00889 Acalypha hispida Burm. f.] Medicinal Plant Images Database (School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University) {{in lang|zh-hant}} {{in lang|en}}

==Galleries==
<Gallery>

Image:Acalypha hispida- Chenille plant.JPG|Chenille plant from vamban KVK

Image:Katzenschwänzchen - Acalypha hispida.JPG|Katzenschwänzchen - Acalypha hispida

Image:Acalypha hispida.jpg|Acalypha hispida

File:Acalypha_hispida_-_Blütenstand.jpg|Inflorescence

File:Acalypha_hispida_-_Blütenstand_(Querschnitt).jpg|Longitudinal section

File:Acalypha_hispida_dsc03754.jpg|A shrub in [[Reunion Island]]

</Gallery>
{{Taxonbar|from=Q163528}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}

[[Category:Acalypha|hispida]]
[[Category:Garden plants]]
[[Category:Ornamental plants]]
[[Category:Flora of the Bismarck Archipelago]]
[[Category:Dioecious plants]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Nicolaas Laurens Burman]]

Acalypha hispida - Revision history

imported>AhmedElMohamedi at 08:31, 24 September 2024