Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Monday - April 06, 2015
From: West Columbia, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Searching for Acalypha amentacea ssp. wilkesiana (copperleaf)
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Some species of Acalypha are natives, but the one I'm looking for is Copper Plant or Acalypha amentacea/wilkesiana. Can you give me a source where I can order seed? When I was kid working at a local nursery here in West Columbia, TX these were quite popular, but I've not seen them in years.ANSWER:
The species that you are looking for, Acalypha amentacea ssp. wilkesiana (Wilke's acalypha or copperleaf), is not native to North America. It does occur in Florida as as a naturalized, introduced species but it is native to Fiji and other Pacific Islands. Here is more information from Missouri Botanical Garden and Floridata.
Our Native Plant Database shows 10 species of Acalypha that are native to North America with Texas having 8 of those. Only one of those eight is shown to be commercially available, Acalypha radians (Cardinal's feather). You can see the native Acalypha species on our Native Plant Database by entering "Acalypha" in the Name slot on the search page. You can then limit the 10 species to only those native to Texas by selecting "Texas" in the Select State or Province slot in NARROW YOUR SEARCH in the sidebar.
To search for nurseries or seed companies who might have the native species available for sale you can visit our National Suppliers Directory. To find nurseries and seed companies in Texas, first click on the List all Suppliers link, then enter "Texas" into the Enter the Location slot.
To find your non-native species you will need to look at nurseries that sell introduced cultivars.
From the Image Gallery
More Non-Natives Questions
Pruning of Grape Kool Aid Plant in California
August 03, 2008 - I have a Grape Kool Aid plant and was told it would grow to 6 or 7 feet tall, but it is well over that and I need to know if I can prune it and if so how?
view the full question and answer
Possibility of transporting native seeds to Europe
February 03, 2011 - Hi, Is it possible to bring seeds for North American plants and wildflowers from the USA to Europe? I live in Italy and have many Italian friends who want me to bring seeds from America the next time ...
view the full question and answer
Mediterranean Pines indigenous to Verde Valley AZ
January 01, 2012 - Are the tall, thin Mediterranean/Pencil Pines growing in the Verde Valley in Arizona indigenous to the area? They are so plentiful, but are not identified as an indigenous evergreen. If not, how did...
view the full question and answer
Identification of red/yellow/black flower in California
April 15, 2013 - Plant found, April Mount Diablo CA 6 symmetrical petals red with a pattern of a yellow flower with black edge in the centre, I can not identify, please help.
view the full question and answer
Problems with Texas Ash and non-native Bradford Pear in Hutto TX
January 27, 2011 - We have planted two trees in our back yard. The first one(a Bradford Pear) died and the second one (a Texas ash) doesn't look like it's doing very well. Our back yard is mostly black clay about 1 f...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |