Three-seeded Mercury

(Acalypha rhomboidea)

 

Color Photograph: © by and courtesy of William S. Justice, Smithsonian Institution

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Three-seeded Mercury (Acalypha rhomboidea)

Identification: Flowers tiny, green or brown without petals, and divided into a small cluster of male flowers and a single female flower. Female flower a round, divided ball. Flowers contained within a heavily toothed leafy bract located in a leaf axil. Leaves ovate, pointed at the apex, and with a heavily toothed outer margin. Plant 8 to 24 inches in height.

Distribution: Throughout eastern North America and the central plains region.

Habitat: Three-seeded Mercury is found primarily in disturbed habitats such as fields, roadsides, and gardens.

Flowering period: August to October.

Three-seeded Mercury (Acalypha rhomboidea)

Similar Species:

There are other related species of Acalypha (not treated here) with narrower, more lanceolate leaves.

Similar Species

No Similar Species