[5][6] It is a somewhat weedy species that responds positively to ecological disturbance, and can be found in degraded habitats such as agricultural fields.

[6] Acalypha virginica is an erect herbaceous annual growing to 50 centimetres (20 in) tall.

[5] It bears a similarity to Acalypha gracilens which occupies much of its geographic range.

[6][7] However, it becomes uncommon at the edges of its range, and is listed as a special concern species in Connecticut.

[8] In Maine, the only documented occurrence of this species was collected from Parsonsfield in 1902, and it is currently thought to be extirpated from the state.