Acalypha californica
California acalypha
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Euphorbiaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Acalypha californica (California acalypha) is a native California shrub in the Euphorbiaceae family, recognized by Range-edge species extending barely into southern California from Baja California, representing a primarily Mexican genus.
California acalypha is a California native perennial found in southern coastal California near San Diego, the Peninsular Ranges, and western desert regions of southern California in rocky slopes, chaparral, and oak woodland at elevations below 1,300 meters. Flowering from January to June, this plant produces small flowers with distinctive red styles and glandular, hairy bracts. Growing with slender stems up to 1.5 meters tall, the plant has a distinctly hairy and slightly glandular appearance. Its leaves are small, about 1 to 2 centimeters long, ovate to nearly triangular with truncate or slightly lobed bases and crenate margins. The fruit is tiny, measuring 1 to 3 millimeters in diameter and covered in fine, soft hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Range-edge species extending barely into southern California from Baja California, representing a primarily Mexican genus
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, chaparral, oak woodland
Elevation: < 1300 m
California counties: San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Acalypha californica blooms Jan-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Parietaria: Acalypha has toothed leaves; pellitory leaves are completely smooth-edged.; vs Amaranthus: Acalypha has 3-lobed capsules; amaranth fruits are 1-seeded and don't split.; vs Mirabilis: Acalypha flowers tiny in leaf axils; four o'clock has showy tubular flowers.; vs Quercus: Acalypha stems snap easily and are herbaceous; oak branches are tough and woody.; vs Ricinus: Acalypha has simple toothed leaves; castor bean has huge umbrella-shaped lobed leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Acalypha californica native to California?
Yes. Acalypha californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Acalypha californica bloom?
Acalypha californica blooms Jan-Jun.
Where in California does Acalypha californica grow?
Acalypha californica occurs in San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, at elevations of < 1300 m.
What plant family does Acalypha californica belong to?
Acalypha californica is in the Euphorbiaceae family, genus Acalypha.
What habitat does Acalypha californica grow in?
Acalypha californica grows in Rocky slopes, chaparral, oak woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.