Description: Shrubs or small trees, often pubescent, hairs simple; monoecious or dioecious.
Leaves alternate, margins crenate or toothed.
Inflorescence axillary, variable, unisexual [or bisexual], male inflorescence spike-like, female flowers clustered, 1–4 within a ± rounded bract. Male flowers small; perianth segments 4; stamens usually 8, anthers with free, twisted loculi. Female flowers with 3–5 perianth segments; ovary 2- or 3-locular, each loculus with 1 ovule; styles branched.
Fruit a small lobed capsule within persistent bract.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 450 species, tropical & subtropical regions. Australia: 3 species, Qld, N.S.W.
Text by T. A. James & G. J. Harden
Taxon concept:
| | Key to the species | |
| 1 | Shrubs, erect or prostrate | 2 |
| Herbs 10–50 cm high | Acalypha australis |
| 2 | Leaves and stems hairy, mostly densely so; veins prominent | 3 |
| Leaves and stems glabrous or almost so; veins obscure, not impressed
Back to 1 | Acalypha capillipes |
| 3 | Leaves 2–12 cm long with 8–10 lateral veins per side of midrib; spreading shrub | Acalypha nemorum |
| Leaves 0.3–3.5 cm long with 5–7 lateral veins per side of midrib; virgate shrub
Back to 2 | Acalypha eremorum |
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