Family: Euphorbiaceae
Author: Müll.Arg.
Bibliography: A.P.de Candolle, Prodr. 15(2): 817 (1866)
Year: 1866
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Acalypha
Vegetable: False
Observations: Bismarck Arch. to SW. Pacific
Description
The Acalypha wilkesiana, commonly known as Capa de obispo, is a strikingly attractive plant valued for its vibrant foliage and decorative appeal. Belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family, this eye-catching species is well-noted for its beautifully variegated leaves, which can display an array of colors ranging from bronze, copper, green, red, and cream. The plant’s leaves are often large and textured with serrated edges, adding to its visual interest and making it a popular choice for tropical and subtropical gardens around the world.
Capa de obispo finds its origins in the Bismarck Archipelago to the Southwestern Pacific region. This geographic area provides the ideal climate and environmental conditions that help the plant thrive. This tropical lineage implies that Acalypha wilkesiana flourishes in warm, humid environments and prefers well-draining soil with consistent moisture levels. The plant’s adaptability to these conditions makes it a resilient choice for outdoor landscapes in similar climates, though it can also be grown as an indoor ornamental plant in cooler regions.
The Acalypha wilkesiana is also recognized for the unique and richly hued appearance of its leaves which make it a standout in any plant collection. Whether used as a hedge, border plant, or standalone specimen in a garden setting, it adds color and texture, creating a lush, tropical ambience. The plant is relatively easy to care for, demanding only regular watering and occasional pruning to maintain its shape and promote dense foliage growth.
Initial classification of Acalypha wilkesiana was provided by the noted botanist A.P.de Candolle in the monumental work “Prodr.” (Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis), particularly referenced in the volume 15(2): 817 published in 1866. The detailed botanical description and classification were further refined by Müll.Arg., contributing extensively to our understanding of the species within its family.
In summary, Acalypha wilkesiana, or Capa de obispo, is a beautiful and dynamic addition to any garden, especially where vivid, tropical foliage is desired. Versatile and relatively undemanding, this plant’s striking appearance and its botanical significance continue to captivate garden enthusiasts and botanists alike.
Common Names
Eng: jacob’s coat, jacob’s-coat, beefsteakplant, capa de obispo, copperleaf, fire-dragon, match me if you can, match-me-if-you-can
Deu: buntlaubiges kupferblatt
Swe: mosaikblad
En: Capa de obispo, Beefsteak plant, Jacob’s coat, Match-me-if-you-can, Wilkes’ acalypha, Copper leaf, Fox tail, Match me if you can, Jacob’s-coat, Beefsteakplant, Copperleaf, Fire-dragon
Fr: Foulard
De: Buntlaubiges Kupferblatt
Pt: Crista do perú
Sv: Mosaikblad
Synonyms
- Acalypha colorata (Rollison)
- Acalypha morfontanensis (Chantrier ex André)
- Acalypha tricolor (Veitch ex Mast.)
- Acalypha godseffiana var. heterophylla (L.H.Bailey)
- Acalypha triumphans (L.Linden & Rodigas)
- Acalypha wilkesiana f. appendiculata (J.W.Moore)
- Acalypha amentacea f. circinata ((Müll.Arg.) Fosberg)
- Acalypha illustris (Pax & K.Hoffm.)
- Acalypha godseffiana (Mast.)
- Acalypha wilkesiana f. circinata (Müll.Arg.)
- Acalypha marginata ((Mill.) J.J.Sm.)
- Acalypha wilkesiana f. monstrosa (J.J.Sm.)
- Acalypha chantrieri (André)
- Acalypha wilkesiana f. macrophylla (J.J.Sm.)
- Acalypha wilkesiana f. illustris (J.J.Sm.)
- Acalypha macafeeana (H.J.Veitch)
- Acalypha musaica (Anon.)
- Acalypha hamiltoniana (Pynaert)
- Acalypha compacta (Guilf. ex C.T.White)
- Acalypha amentacea subsp. wilkesiana ((Müll.Arg.) Fosberg)
- Acalypha torta (W.Bull)
- Acalypha wilkesiana f. triumphans ((L.Linden & Rodigas) J.J.Sm.)
- Ricinocarpus wilkesianus ((Müll.Arg.) Kuntze)
- Acalypha wilkesiana var. marginata (T.Moore)
- Acalypha obovata (W.Bull)
- Acalypha macrophylla (Van Geert)
Distribution
- Bismarck Archipelago (native)
- Fiji (native)
- Solomon Is. (native)
- Tuvalu (native)
- Vanuatu (native)
- Bangladesh (introduced)
- Bolivia (introduced)
- Caroline Is. (introduced)
- China South-Central (introduced)
- China Southeast (introduced)
- Comoros (introduced)
- Cook Is. (introduced)
- Cuba (introduced)
- Dominican Republic (introduced)
- Ecuador (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Gilbert Is. (introduced)
- Guinea (introduced)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
- Hainan (introduced)
- Haiti (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- India (introduced)
- Jamaica (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Line Is. (introduced)
- Madagascar (introduced)
- Marianas (introduced)
- Marquesas (introduced)
- Marshall Is. (introduced)
- Mexico Central (introduced)
- Nauru (introduced)
- Nicobar Is. (introduced)
- Niue (introduced)
- Norfolk Is. (introduced)
- Paraguay (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Rwanda (introduced)
- Society Is. (introduced)
- Thailand (introduced)
- Tonga (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Tuamotu (introduced)
- Tubuai Is. (introduced)
- Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
- Zaïre (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken May 12, 2019 by Ana Maria Vélez Uribe (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 10, 2022 by Rvt 063 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 6, 2021 by Anna Marie Novicio (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 5, 2019 by Brenes Carlos Alberto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 18, 2020 by Lenah Oprah (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Apr 20, 2020 by Mendes da Silva Matildes (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 9, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Anziz AHMED ABDOU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 9, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Anziz AHMED ABDOU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 14, 2004 by Hervé Rey (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 9, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Anziz AHMED ABDOU (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jun 9, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Anziz AHMED ABDOU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Frank Vincentz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 13, 2022 by Blue Bottle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 15, 2021 by Fernando da Luz Schmidt (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Oct 29, 2021 by Stevens Pamela (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 3, 2021 by Ochoa Romina (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 20, 2022 by Jérôme robert (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 12, 2021 by Nani Andrea (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Other
Taken Jan 26, 2020 by Espinoza-Zevallos Marco Elías (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 30, 2020 by parv shah (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 20, 2021 by jane paes Paes (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 3, 2022 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 8, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jun 9, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Anziz AHMED ABDOU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 9, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Anziz AHMED ABDOU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 9, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Anziz AHMED ABDOU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 9, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Anziz AHMED ABDOU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 4, 2022 by Hawavo 61 (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3057221)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:337939-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Acalypha wilkesiana Müll.Arg.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Shrub