About Acalypha australis L.
Acalypha australis L. is an annual herbaceous plant that reaches 20โ50 cm (8โ20 in) in height. Its leaves are oblong to lanceolate, measuring 3โ9 cm (1.2โ3.5 in) long and 1โ5 cm (0.4โ2.0 in) wide, and are attached via 2โ6 cm (0.8โ2.4 in) long petioles. Flowers are arranged in axillary (occasionally terminal) panicles, forming inflorescences 15โ50 mm (0.6โ2.0 in) in length. Each bract holds 1โ3 female flowers and 5โ7 male flowers; female flowers have three sepals, while male flowers have four. Native distribution of A. australis includes all of China except the Nei Mongol and Xinjiang provinces, plus parts of Japan, Korea, Laos, the Philippines, eastern Russia, and Vietnam. It has also been introduced to New York, Iowa, northern Australia (from Queensland to Victoria), and eastern India. Within its native range, A. australis grows in grasslands and cultivated areas at altitudes between 100 m (330 ft) and 1,200 m (3,940 ft) above sea level, and exceptionally can grow up to 1,900 m (6,200 ft).
