| Description | Chenile Plant (Acalypha hispida) has drooping tassels of red flowers that are the main attraction of this plant. Chenille Plant |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | (a-KAL-ee-fa)(HIS-pi-da) |
| Plant Type | Perennial Tender |
| Hardiness Zone | 10-11 |
| Sunlight | part sun |
| Moisture | evenly moist, never dry, likes humid conditions |
| Temperature | does not tolerate frost |
| Flowers | dioecious, having male and female flowers on different plants, pendulous red tassels (catkins) are made of the long styles of the female flower that lacks petals (apetalous), seems to be ever blooming |
| Leaves | semi-woody |
| Roots | fibrous |
| Dimensions | up to 20" |
| Maintenance | pruning to maintain shape, cleaning out dead |
| Propagation | cuttings, seeds |
| Native Site | New Guinea, Indonesia and Malaya |
| Misc Facts | The genus name Acalypha is from the Greek akalephes ("nettle"), and was inspired by the nettle-like leave. AKA: Red Hot Cat's Tail, Philippines Medusa, Fox tail |
| Author's Notes | I found this an easy plant to grow, outdoors during the summer. Cut back hard and bring indoors during the winter. Grow in a bright to direct light window. |
| Notes & Reference | #18-House Plant Encyclopedia (Nico Vermeulen), #51-Armitage's Manual of Annuals, Biennials, and Half-Hardy Perennials (Alan Arimitage) |
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