Clearweed, Pilea pumila
Urticaceae or Nettle Family
 |
Small plant, usually under a foot tall.
Flowers tiny, white or greenish in short, crowded
clusters. Stems and leafstalks smooth, translucent.
Leaves opposite each other, egg-shaped, long-stalked, with large
rounded teeth and deeply embossed veins. Blooms in late
summer and fall. Plant of moist woodlands. Occasional on the western slope of the Park. Tiny white or green flowers in crowded clusters are typical of
nettles. Clearweed is unusual in not having stinging
hairs. The beautifully embossed leaves is also a good
identifying character. Wood
nettle is also found in woodlands, but has leaves that are
not opposite and stinging hairs. Stinging nettle prefers more open areas and also stings. False nettle also prefers more open areas and has orderly, cylindrical flower stalks with leaves on the ends. Three-seeded mercury and Virginia copperleaf have similar shiny leaves, but very different flowers. |
 |
|
