Family: Urticaceae
Author: A.Gray
Bibliography: Manual 437. 1848
Year: 1848
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Pilea
Vegetable: False
Observations: E. Canada to C. & E. U.S.A.
Description
Clearweed, scientifically known as Pilea pumila, belongs to the Urticaceae family. This fascinating plant was first documented by the botanist A. Gray in the mid-19th century, specifically in Manual 437 in the year 1848.
Widely distributed across ecological regions, Clearweed is native to Eastern Canada and extends through Central and Eastern parts of the United States. This perennial herb is particularly notable for its translucent, non-stinging leaves, which make it easily distinguishable from other members of the nettle family, which often have stinging hairs.
Clearweed thrives in moist, shaded environments such as forest floors, stream banks, and wetlands. Its preference for these habitats makes it an excellent indicator of ecological health in forested watersheds. The plant typically grows to about 30 to 90 centimeters in height, with opposite leaves that are simple and heart-shaped. During the flowering season, which spans from mid-summer to early fall, Clearweed produces small, greenish-white flowers. These flowers generally appear in axillary clusters and add a delicate touch to the plant’s overall appearance.
A point of botanical interest is Clearweed’s lack of stinging trichomes—hair-like structures found in many of its nettle relatives. This feature, along with its translucent stems and foliage, has likely contributed to its common name. Despite its inconspicuous nature, Clearweed plays a significant role in its ecosystem, providing habitat and food for a variety of insects and other small wildlife.
In addition to its ecological importance, Clearweed holds potential for use in gardens, particularly in areas mimicking its natural, moist, and shaded environments. It can be a valuable addition to naturalistic landscaping and restoration projects, especially in regions corresponding to its native range.
Overall, Clearweed is a noteworthy plant that represents an important component of North American flora, reflecting both the resilience and biodiversity of forested ecosystems.
Common Names
Eng: canada clearweed, canadian clearweed, clearweed, dwarf clearweed, coolweed
Fra: piléa nain, ortie naine, petite ortie, pilée naine
En: Clearweed, Canadian clearweed, Canada clearweed, Dwarf clearweed, Coolweed
Fr: Piléa nain, Ortie naine, Petite ortie, Pilée naine
Synonyms
- Urtica pumila (L.)
- Adicea glabra (Raf.)
- Adike pumila ((L.) Raf.)
- Pilea pumila var. deamii ((Lunell) Fernald)
- Adenia pumila ((L.) Torr.)
- Adicea deamii (Lunell)
- Dubrueilia pumila ((L.) Gaudich.)
- Urtica fasciculata (Savigny)
- Adicea trinervia (Raf. ex Torr.)
- Adicea pumila ((L.) Raf. ex Torr.)
- Pilea mongolica (Wedd.)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Delaware (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- Florida (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Maine (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New York (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Prince Edward I. (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Virginia (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Oct 16, 2019 by canales martina (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 4, 2019 by Joe Suttles (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 21, 2020 by alphonse emou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 17, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 19, 2021 by Sara Dagostino (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Sep 9, 2019 by rocky (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 21, 2020 by alphonse emou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 15, 2021 by Nancy Setzer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 17, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 29, 2021 by Eric Le5 (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Nov 27, 2014 by EOL − Christopher Tracey (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Sep 19, 2013 by EOL − Robert L Curtis (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Sep 27, 2013 by EOL − Christopher Tracey (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Sep 7, 2012 by EOL − Park Visitor (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 14, 2013 by EOL − dsuarez (cc-by-nc)
Other
Taken Sep 6, 2022 by Jamie Veganarchist (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 12, 2019 by Mary Pierce (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 29, 2022 by Kira (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 16, 2020 by Amanda Smith (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 23, 2019 by April Ray (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Sep 18, 2018 by J Cheung (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 2, 2022 by Gabe Kidd (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 23, 2021 by Tara (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 21, 2004 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)
Fruit
Taken Oct 2, 2022 by Gabe Kidd (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5361818)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:855701-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Pilea pumila (L.) A. Gray)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb