Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised May 31, 2026

Acalypha monococca

Acalypha monococca, commonly called slender threeseed mercury, is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). It is native to North America, where it is found in the South Central and Midwestern regions of the United States, primarily west of the Mississippi River. Its natural habitat is in dry, sunny, sandy or rocky areas, in prairies, barrens, or woodlands.

Last revised
May 31, 2026
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Acalypha monococca
Apparently Secure
Apparently Secure (NatureServe)1
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Acalypha
Species:
A. monococca
Binomial name
Acalypha monococca
(Engelm. ex A.Gray) Lill. W. Mill. & Gandhi

Acalypha monococca, commonly called slender threeseed mercury,2 is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). It is native to North America, where it is found in the South Central and Midwestern regions of the United States, primarily west of the Mississippi River.34 Its natural habitat is in dry, sunny, sandy or rocky areas, in prairies, barrens, or woodlands.45

Acalypha monococca in an erect annual, growing to around 40 cm tall.4 Its flowers are produced from summer to fall.4 It is similar to Acalypha gracilens, which occupies a generally more easterly range from Acalypha monococca. Characteristic features for distinguishing Acalypha monococca include its single-seeded fruits, narrower leaves, smaller stature.6

References

References

  1. "NatureServe Explorer - Acalypha monococca". NatureServe Explorer Acalypha monococca. NatureServe. 2022-06-22. Retrieved 22 Jun 2022.
  2. NRCS. "Acalypha monococca". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  3. Kartesz, John T. (2014). "Acalypha monococca". County-level distribution map from the North American Plant Atlas (NAPA). Biota of North America Program (BONAP). Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  4. Acalypha monococca Flora of North America
  5. Diggs, George; Lipscomb, Barney; O'Kennon, Robert (1999). Flora of North Central Texas. Botanical Research Institute of Texas. p. 588.
  6. Yatskievych, George (2006). Flora of Missouri, Volume 2. Missouri Botanical Garden Press. p. 1014.