Status:
valid
Authors:
Hand.-Mazz.
Source:
tro
Year:
1931
Citation Micro:
Sinensia 2: 2 (1931)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001143734
Common Names
- Pilea microcardia
- Microcardia Pilea
- Small-heart Pilea
Description
Pilea microcardia (also called Clearweed, among many other common names) is a perennial herbaceous plant native to North America. It has a creeping rhizome and a few erect stems, with a height of up to 1.5 m. Its leaves are pinnate and its flowers are white. It is found in moist meadows, marshes, and wet woods.
Uses & Benefits
Pilea microcardia is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and is also used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat skin diseases.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Pilea microcardia is small and white, with five petals. The seed is small, round and black. The seedlings are small and green.
Cultivation and Propagation
Pilea microcardia can be propagated by division of the rhizomes or by seed. For division, the rhizomes should be divided in spring or autumn. For seed, the seeds should be sown in spring in a cold frame or in a greenhouse. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, they should be transplanted into individual pots and grown on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer.
Where to Find Pilea microcardia
Pilea microcardia is native to tropical regions of Central and South America.
Species in the Pilea genus
Pilea striata,
Pilea strigillosa,
Pilea stapfiana,
Pilea spruceana,
Pilea squamulata,
Pilea stolonifera,
Pilea stellarioides,
Pilea stelluligera,
Pilea stenoneura,
Pilea stenophylla,
Pilea thouarsiana,
Pilea tatei,
Pilea subpubera,
Pilea thymoidea,
Pilea tippenhaueri,
Pilea tetraphylla,
Pilea succulenta,
Pilea sumideroensis,
Pilea suta,
Pilea sylvatica,
Pilea spathulata,
Pilea rufescens,
Pilea rugosa,
Pilea rugosissima,
Pilea scandens,
Pilea salentana,
Pilea samanensis,
Pilea sancti-johannis,
Pilea sphenophylla,
Pilea rojasiana,
Pilea rivularis,
Pilea robinsonii,
Pilea rufa,
Pilea roemeri,
Pilea rubiacea,
Pilea robusta,
Pilea setigera,
Pilea sevillensis,
Pilea siguaneana,
Pilea silvicola,
Pilea simplex,
Pilea saxicola,
Pilea serrulata,
Pilea solandri,
Pilea schlechteri,
Pilea sessilifolia,
Pilea selleana,
Pilea sessiliflora,
Pilea serpyllacea,
Pilea torbeciana,
Species in the Urticaceae family
Archiboehmeria atrata,
Astrothalamus reticulatus,
Australina flaccida,
Australina pusilla,
Australina pusilla,
Boehmeria aspera,
Boehmeria balslevii,
Boehmeria beyeri,
Boehmeria brevirostris,
Boehmeria bullata,
Boehmeria burgeriana,
Boehmeria caudata,
Boehmeria celtidifolia,
Boehmeria clidemioides,
Boehmeria conica,
Boehmeria cylindrica,
Boehmeria densiflora,
Boehmeria depauperata,
Boehmeria didymogyne,
Boehmeria dura,
Boehmeria egregia,
Boehmeria excelsa,
Boehmeria grandis,
Boehmeria hamiltoniana,
Boehmeria helferi,
Boehmeria heterophylla,
Boehmeria holosericea,
Boehmeria japonica,
Boehmeria kiusiana,
Boehmeria kurzii,
Boehmeria lanceolata,
Boehmeria martii,
Boehmeria multiflora,
Boehmeria nakashimae,
Boehmeria nivea,
Boehmeria ourantha,
Boehmeria pavonii,
Boehmeria penduliflora,
Boehmeria pilosiuscula,
Boehmeria platanifolia,
Boehmeria polystachya,
Boehmeria radiata,
Boehmeria ramiflora,
Boehmeria repens,
Boehmeria rugosissima,
Boehmeria siamensis,
Boehmeria sieboldiana,
Boehmeria spicigera,
Boehmeria splitgerbera,
Boehmeria ternifolia,