Status:
valid
Authors:
Groult
Source:
tro
Year:
1999
Citation Micro:
Adansonia, sér. 3, 21(2): 270 1999
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001040855
Common Names
- Pilea Spathulifolia
- Spathulate-Leaved Pilea
- Spathulate-Leaved False-Nettle
Description
Pilea spathulifolia (also called Artillery Plant, among many other common names) is a perennial herbaceous plant native to Central and South America. It has succulent, heart-shaped leaves with a red-purple hue and grows best in bright, indirect light. It is often found in tropical rainforests, but can also be found in other moist, shady habitats.
Uses & Benefits
Pilea spathulifolia is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. It is also used to make herbal tea and is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Pilea spathulifolia is a small, white, bell-shaped flower with five petals and five sepals. The seed is a small, black, round seed. The seedlings are small, green, and have a single stem with two leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Pilea spathulifolia is a small, evergreen shrub that grows up to 1.5 m tall. It is usually propagated from cuttings taken in spring or summer. Cuttings should be taken from the tips of the branches and planted in a well-drained soil mix. The cuttings should be kept moist until they are established.
Where to Find Pilea spathulifolia
Pilea spathulifolia is native to Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It is found in tropical rainforests and cloud forests at elevations of 500-2500 meters.
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
Marie-Laure Groult: Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Groult' in the authors string.