Plant Profile: Acalypha virginica

Virginia Copperleaf is a summer annual weed belonging to the spurge family. However, unlike many of its relatives in the Euphorbiaceae family, it does not produce the characteristic milky sap. This plant typically thrives in disturbed environments, such as meadows, fields, woodlands, and along the banks of rivers and lakes. While it is classified as a weed, it is not invasive and is recognized as a native species. Management practices for Virginia Copperleaf involve hand weeding, which includes uprooting the taproot, as well as the application of mulch. During the fall and winter, birds consume its seeds, and deer may feed on its leaves, potentially sparing other nearby plants.