Acalypha
Acalypha
Acalypha (/əˈkælɪfə/; from the Greek akalephes meaning "nettle") is a genus of flowering plants in the family Euphorbiaceae. It is one of the largest euphorb genera, with approximately 450 to 462 species.
Etymology
The name Acalypha is derived from the Ancient Greek word akalephes (ἀκαλήφης), which was used to denote nettle. The genus was named by Carl Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist, who formalised the modern system of naming organisms called binomial nomenclature.
Description
Acalypha species are herbs, shrubs, or trees, with simple, alternate leaves. The flowers are often unisexual, and are borne in terminal or axillary inflorescences. The fruit is a capsule, usually with three seeds.
Species
The genus Acalypha includes several well-known species, such as Acalypha hispida, also known as the chenille plant, and Acalypha wilkesiana, commonly known as copperleaf.
Medical Uses
Some Acalypha species have been used in traditional medicine. For example, Acalypha indica, also known as Indian Acalypha, has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat various ailments, including bronchitis and pneumonia.
Related Terms
- Euphorbiaceae: The family to which Acalypha belongs.
- Acalypha hispida: A species of Acalypha known as the chenille plant.
- Acalypha wilkesiana: A species of Acalypha commonly known as copperleaf.
- Acalypha indica: A species of Acalypha used in traditional medicine.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Acalypha
- Wikipedia's article - Acalypha
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