Virginia Copperleaf, Virginia Threeseed Mercury

(Acalypha virginica L.)

Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family)

 

▲ seedling

▲ ▼ seedlings/young plants

▲ young plant

▲ ▼ mature plants

▲ closer view of flowering stem

▲ ▼ fall color of virginia copperleaf

Virginia Copperleaf:  (not in Weeds of the Great Plains, pp. 222-223 in Weeds of the Northeast)

·        summer annual, growing 6-24” tall with upright, slightly to moderately branched stems

·        leaves are elongated to lanceolate, often coppery to reddish color in full sun, or late in summer

·        inflorescence in small clusters in the axils of the leaves, with fringed, leafy bracts between/around flowers

·        does not have milky sap

·        does not have irritating hairs as does hophornbeam copperleaf