Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 6, 2026

Acalypha wilderi

Acalypha wilderi was a species of spurge that was only known from forested habitats along the northern and western sides of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, at elevations of 200–300 m. Very little is known about this species, but collections suggest it was a small shrub rarely exceeding 2 m in height. Its habitat has been greatly modified for agriculture, roads, housing, plantations and invasive species, and has not been seen since 1929, and was declared extinct in 2014. This species may be synonymous with A. raivavensis and A. tubuaiensis.

Last revised
Jul 6, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
163 w
Citations
1
Source
Acalypha wilderi
Extinct
Extinct (yes) (IUCN 3.1)1
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Subtribe: Acalyphinae
Genus: Acalypha
Species:
A. wilderi
Binomial name
Acalypha wilderi

Acalypha wilderi was a species of spurge that was only known from forested habitats along the northern and western sides of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, at elevations of 200–300 m. Very little is known about this species, but collections suggest it was a small shrub rarely exceeding 2 m in height. Its habitat has been greatly modified for agriculture, roads, housing, plantations and invasive species, and has not been seen since 1929, and was declared extinct in 2014. This species may be synonymous with A. raivavensis and A. tubuaiensis.

The reason for its extinction is unknown.

References

References

  1. de Lange, P.; Martin, T. & McCormack, G. (2014). "Acalypha wilderi". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014. IUCN: e.T199821A2612719. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T199821A2612719.en. Retrieved 5 January 2018.