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Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Pilea pumila (Canadian clearweed)
Smith, R.W.

Pilea pumila (L.) Gray

Canadian clearweed, Clearweed

Urticaceae (Nettle Family)

USDA Symbol: PIPU2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A small, translucent-stemmed annual with short, curved clusters of inconspicuous, greenish-white flowers in the leaf axils. Plant lacks stinging hairs.

The distinctive clear stem, soft and with a watery look, is responsible for the common name. It is restricted to shady areas, where it may form a continuous cover over moist soil. P. fontana, very similar but with dull black seeds, occurs from western New York south to Florida, west to Nebraska and North Dakota.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NS , PE
Native Distribution: Throughout East, except Prairie Provinces and Newfoundland.
Native Habitat: Moist, shaded places.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

* The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Pilea pumila in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Pilea pumila in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Pilea pumila

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-12-09
Research By: TWC Staff

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