Acalypha wilkesiana Müll. Arg.

Akalifa (Acalypha wilkesiana) is a shrub up to 5 meters tall of the Euphorbiaceae family, distributed across the East Indies and Pacific, popular as an ornamental and hedge plant thanks to its striking leaf colors. Its leaf extract is processed into an ointment to address skin fungal problems, while its young shoots can be cooked as a vegetable. Akalifa is also believed to be antidiabetic and help relieve diarrhea.

Grows in tropical and subtropical climate regions, with full sunlight (6 hours or more), moderate soil moisture, moist soil, good drainage, temperature 16 °C.

• Roots taproot, brown in color.
• Stem upright woody, smooth round, hairy twigs, sympodial branching.
• Leaves single alternating, oblong, serrated edges, tapering tip, spotted, pinnate venation, cream-green or red in color, hairy, some flat some curved shape.
• Flowers compound, spike-shaped, bisexual, bowl-shaped calyx, small, green in color, usually hidden behind the leaves.
• Fruit a 3-chambered capsule, hairy, red.
• Seeds kidney-shaped, black.

• Propagated generatively (by seed) as well as vegetatively (stem cuttings).
• Akalifa is an easy-growing plant. Stem cutting results should be planted in a pot twice the width of the length of the roots formed.

Saponins, flavonoids, tannins, polyphenols, alkaloids, corilagin, gallic acid, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, steroids, phlobatannin, geraniin, phytate, terpenoids.

Antidiabetic, antibacterial, diarrhea remedy, digestive tract infections, skin fungal infections, aches and pains, reduces fever, hypertension, treats bloody cough, canker sores, rheumatism, inflammation, and swelling.

Sablo and Daung mangsi (Java).