Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Rosales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
microphylla
ID:
473914

Status:
valid

Authors:
(L.) Liebm.

Source:
cmp

Year:
1851

Citation Micro:
Mexic. Neldeagt. Pl. : 18 (1851)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000473246

Common Names

  • Microphylla Friendship Plant
  • Pancake Plant
  • UFO Plant

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Synonyms

  • Urtica microphylla (L.) Sw. [unknown]
  • Parietaria microphylla L. [unknown]
  • Dubrueilia microphylla (L.) Gaudich. [unknown]
  • Pilea muscosa microphylla (L.) Wedd. [superfluous]
  • Pilea trianthemoides microphylla (L.) Wedd. [unknown]

Description

Pilea microphylla (also called Artillery Plant, among many other common names) is a small, evergreen perennial plant. It is native to Central and South America and grows in moist, shady areas such as woodlands and stream banks. It has small, round leaves and produces small, yellow flowers.

Uses & Benefits

Pilea microphylla is a popular houseplant and can be used to decorate a home or office. It is also known to be an effective air purifier, helping to remove toxins from the air. It is also known to be a low-maintenance plant, making it a great choice for those who don't have a lot of time to care for their plants.

Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species

Pilea microphylla var. succulenta Griseb.
Pilea microphylla var. domingensis (Groult) Acev.-Rodr.
Pilea microphylla var. nanophylla Groult
Pilea microphylla var. microphylla

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Pilea microphylla has small, white flowers with four petals. The seeds are tiny and black and the seedlings have small, round leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Pilea microphylla is a low-maintenance plant that can be propagated by stem cuttings. To propagate, take a stem cutting with at least two nodes and remove the lower leaves. Place the cutting in a potting mix and keep it moist. It should take about two weeks for the cutting to root. Once the cutting has rooted, it can be transplanted into a larger pot. Pilea microphylla prefers bright, indirect light and should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry.

Where to Find Pilea microphylla

Pilea microphylla is native to Mexico and Central America and can be found in tropical and subtropical climates. It can be grown indoors or outdoors in a sunny spot.

Pilea microphylla FAQ

What is the scientific name of Pilea microphylla?

Pilea microphylla

What is the common name of Pilea microphylla?

Small-leaved Pilea

Where is Pilea microphylla native to?

Mexico

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,

References

Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'L.' in the authors string.
Frederik Liebmann (1813-1856): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Liebm.' in the authors string.
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1162156-2: Based on the WCVP December 2022 data release.