The 430 species in the genus Acalypha include erect shrubs and weedy herbs found mostly in the tropics of both hemispheres; and some annuals and perennials, known as three-seeded mercury, are native in the southern United States. Another ornamental species, the chenille plant, or red hot cattail (A. hispida), reaches a height of 3 m and is grown for its long, taillike, pendent flower spikes, rust red in colour. It is native to tropical eastern Asia. A. godseffiana, which has green and white leaves, is from New Guinea.