Clearweed (Pilea pumila)
- Family: Nettle (Urticaceae)
- Flowering: July-October.
- Field Marks: The clear, translucent stems and the opposite leaves with 3 strong main veins distinguish this species.
- Habitat: Low woods, along streams, around ponds.
- Habit: Annual herb with fibrous roots.
- Stems: Erect, usually unbranched, translucent, smooth, up to 2 feet tall.
- Leaves: Opposite, simple, ovate, tapering to a long point at the tip, rounded or tapering to the base, conspicuously 3-veined, coarsely toothed, smooth, up to 4 inches long.
- Flowers: Male and female flowers borne separately in the same axillary spikes, greenish.
- Sepals: Green, minute, usually 4 in the male flowers, usually 3 in the female flowers.
- Petals: 0.
- Stamens: 4.
- Pistils: Ovary superior.
- Fruits: Achenes ovoid, flattened, green but often marked with purple, up to 1/12 inch long.
Previous Species -- False Dragon-head (Physostegia virginiana)
Return to Species List -- Group 7
Next Species -- Common Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris)