Kuppaimeni, khokali in Hindi, is Indian copperleaf, a common weed of waste ground and gardens. Its Tamil name means the plant of rubbish heaps. Crushed roots excite cats much as catnip does, which gives it another Tamil name, poonai vanangi. Tamil homes grind the leaves with turmeric into a paste for skin rashes.
- Botanical name
- Acalypha indica L.
- Family
- Euphorbiaceae
- Tamil
- Kuppaimeni
- Hindi
- Khokali
- Sanskrit
- Haritamanjari
- Parts used
- Leaves, Sometimes whole herb in lists
- Habit
- Annual weed of waste ground with cup-like flower bracts
- Last updated
- 2026-10-27
How to recognise Kuppaimeni
It is an erect annual, usually knee-high, with slender, branching stems.
The leaves are oval, toothed and long-stalked, and alternate along the stem.
Each leaf has three main veins running from its base.
Flowers grow in slender spikes in the leaf axils, with tiny male flowers at the tip.
Female flowers sit in green, toothed, cup-like bracts lower on the spike.
The fruit is a tiny, hairy capsule hidden inside the bracts.
Traditional use of Kuppaimeni
Folk use
Leaves ground with turmeric are applied to skin rashes and itching.
Tamil folk practice
Siddha
Kuppaimeni leaf juice is used in Siddha for coughs and skin complaints.
Siddha practice
Household
Roots are given to cats, which roll and rub on them.
Indian village practice
Modern notes on Kuppaimeni
The roots contain compounds that attract cats, similar in effect to catnip.
Laboratory studies report antimicrobial activity in leaf extracts.
It is a common weed of crops and gardens across the tropics.
It belongs to the spurge family, though unlike many spurges it has no milky latex.
Kuppaimeni safety
Test any leaf paste on a small patch of skin first. Do not take it by mouth in large amounts or during pregnancy.
Ecology and sourcing
It grows across tropical Africa and Asia.
It is wind-pollinated.
Its seeds sprout quickly after rain on bare ground.
Related plants
Also in Euphorbiaceae
Questions about Kuppaimeni
Why do cats like Kuppaimeni?
Its roots contain compounds that attract them.
What does kuppaimeni mean?
Plant of the rubbish heap.
How is Kuppaimeni used?
As a leaf paste for skin.
Is Kuppaimeni a weed?
Yes, a common one.
How do I recognise Kuppaimeni?
Look for cup-like bracts along the flower spikes.
Sources
- Acalypha indica L. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q3339634 (Acalypha indica)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.