Flolape

artillery-plant

Pilea microphylla (L.) Liebm.
artillery-plant
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-4.0)

Pilea microphylla (L.) Liebm., a member of the Urticaceae family, is an annual plant known by common names such as artillery-plant, angeloweed, and brilhantina. It is native to regions including Florida, Mexico, the West Indies, and tropical Central and South America. The plant features light green, nearly succulent stems and small leaves. It is commonly cultivated as a ground cover.

Description

Pilea microphylla is distributed across several regions, including Madeira, Brazil, various parks in Colombia, and several island territories. The species was first published in 1851. It is locally known as frescura in parts of southern Mexico. The plant has been the subject of taxonomic discussion, particularly concerning the original material for the name, as noted in botanical literature. Despite its widespread use as a ground cover, no specific cultivation requirements are highlighted in the source data.

Other common names

Rockweedartillery-plantmilitary-fernpistolplantgunpowder-plantLace PlantCreeping Charly

Distribution

Madeira · BR · Bolívar · Área Natural Única Los Estoraques | Parque Nacional Natural Complejo Volcanico Doña Juana - Cascabel | Parque Nacional Natural Puracé | Parque Nacional Natural Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta | Parque Nacional Natural Macuira | Parque Nacional Natural Gorgon · TW · VU · ZA · SC · HR · CK · Belgium · Flemish Region · NU · AS · Kosrae · Yap · Pitcairn Islands · WS · PW · SB · NR · KI · CD · KM · FM · SG · Bucaramanga | Capitanejo | Floridablanca | Rionegro | Tona · WF · SE · MV

Synonyms

Urtica microphyllaParietaria microphyllaDubrueilia microphyllaPilea muscosa var. microphyllaPilea trianthemoides var. microphylla

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