Slender threeseed mercury facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Slender threeseed mercury |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acalypha
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| Species: |
monococca
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The slender threeseed mercury (scientific name: Acalypha monococca) is a type of flowering plant that belongs to the spurge family, also known as Euphorbiaceae. This plant is originally from North America.
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Discovering the Slender Threeseed Mercury
This plant is often called "slender threeseed mercury" because of its thin look and how its seeds develop. It's a small plant that grows each year from a seed.
Where Does It Live?
You can find the slender threeseed mercury in the central parts of the United States. It mostly grows in the South Central and Midwestern areas, especially to the west of the large Mississippi River.
This plant likes to live in places that are dry and sunny. You might see it in sandy or rocky areas. It also grows well in open grasslands called prairies, in dry, open woodlands, or in areas known as barrens, which have thin soil.
What Does It Look Like?
The Acalypha monococca plant stands up straight and can grow to about 40 centimeters (about 16 inches) tall. It is an annual plant, which means it completes its whole life cycle, from seed to flower to new seeds, within one year.
Its flowers appear from the summer all the way into the fall season.
How Is It Different from Other Plants?
The slender threeseed mercury is quite similar to another plant called Acalypha gracilens. However, Acalypha gracilens usually grows more to the east, while Acalypha monococca is found more to the west.
You can tell Acalypha monococca apart by a few special features:
- Its fruits usually have only one seed inside.
- Its leaves are narrower (thinner) than those of similar plants.
- It is generally a smaller plant overall.
