Hophornbeam Copperleaf

Acalypha ostryifolia

Weed Description
An erect annual found in cultivated areas, roadsides, waste areas, and in agronomic crops. Native to the United States, hophornbeam copperleaf is primarily isolated to the southeast and eastern U.S. but is becoming more problematic in the Midwest.

Seedlings
Cotyledons and stems are hairy, first true leaves are distinctly serrated and slightly hairy.

Leaves
Leaves are arranged alternately with margins serrated so much so that they resemble a saw blade. Leaves are 1 to 4 inches in length and as much as 2.5 inches in width. Leaves occur on long petioles, with a distinctive red dot where the leaf and petiole meet.

Flowers
Seedheads occur on spikes, female flowers grow on terminal spikes while males on axillary spikes. Female flowers usually grow three times longer than males, creating an advantage for seed dispersal.

Roots
Fibrous from a taproot.

Identifying Characteristics
Hophornbeam copperleaf seedlings are frequetly mistaken for prickly sida , which have one round and one heart-shaped cotyledon. Most plants from the spurge family exude milky sap when broken, hophornbeam copperleaf does not share this characteristic. Leaves are serrated similar to a saw blade and have a red dot where the leaf and petiole meet.

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Hophornbeam Copperleaf

Acalypha ostryifolia