128 Euphorbiaceae. 
Acalypha Wilkesiana Muell.-Arg. 
ACALYPHA OR Red KALABUCI. 
Plate LII. 
This species of Acalypha, a native of Fiji, is easily recognized 
by its large copper-colored leaves, which assume quite often a great 
variety of tints — pink, yellow, and brown, and then the plant is 
highly ornamental. The male and female flowers are borne separ- 
ately, each sex on a slender spike, those with staminate flowers 
drooping and those with pistillate flowers upright. It is extensively 
cultivated in the tropics as a hedge plant, the vari-colored foliage mak- 
ing a pleasing contrast against the usual sombre green of other tropical 
plants. It is easily grown from cuttings. The Fijians know the 
plant under the name Kalabuci damn or Red Kalabuci. 
Other species in cultivation are Acalypha hispida Bl. usually 
planted only as an ornamental bush and not in hedges. It is con- 
spicuous on account of the floral spikes which are purple and quite 
showy. Acalypha marginata Sprengl has smaller leaves, edged with 
carmine and a reddish brown center. 
A more commonly planted species is Acalypha cuneata Poep. et 
Endl. better known as A. obovata; it is a handsome species with 
green leaves and creamy white margins which turn to a crimson 
hue as the plant matures. Like A. Wilkesiana it is usually planted 
as a hedge, and grows freely from cuttings. 
Codiaeum variegatum (L.) Bin me 
Croton. * 
The so-called Croton is an erect, glabrous shrub or occasionally 
small tree reaching a height of often fifteen feet or more in Hono- 
lulu. The leaves are exceedingly variable in shape and color ranging 
from linear to oblong, and entire to sparingly lobed, they are undulate 
or even spirally twisted and sometimes interrupted. The color ranges 
from pale green to purple, red and yellow, some forms are spotted or 
mottled. 
The racemes are axillary, solitary, and about ten inches long. 
The male flowers are white. The so-called croton is a native of the 
Moluccas but is now extensively cultivated in nearly all tropical 
countries. The leaves vary tremendously in shape and color and the 
* The name True Croton is applied to the numerous species belonging to the genus 
Croton of which C. Tiglium I>. is often cultivated. 
