Acalypha hispida (Chenille Plant)

Probably originating in the Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea, this evergreen tropical shrub has a long history of cultivation, and its exact wild origin is uncertain. Its hanging flower spikes can reach about 18 inches long. The tiny flowers have no petals; their feathery red stigmas create the velvety, chenille-like texture. White-flowered forms also exist. Flowering can continue throughout the year in warm climates. Only female plants are known in cultivation, and propagation is by stem cuttings. It has escaped cultivation into forests in Malesia and has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. Its sap can irritate skin, and ingestion may cause stomach upset. Photographed in Barranquilla and Armenia, Colombia.