Plant
Canada Clearweed
Pilea pumilaAlso known as Clearweed, Coolwort, Richweed
Canada clearweed forms lush, translucent patches across damp forest floors, easily recognized by succulent, glass-like stems that shine when backlit by sunlight. Despite belonging to the nettle family, it completely lacks stinging hairs, making it entirely harmless to touch. In late summer, tiny green flower clusters bloom unobtrusively in the leaf axils, serving as an important host plant for native butterfly larvae.
Forest UnderstoryMoisture-LovingNative
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAutotrophic
Predators
- White-Tailed Deer
- Slugs
- Caterpillars
ThreatsSevere drought, habitat destruction, invasive species competition
HabitatsDamp woodlands, shaded floodplains, stream banks, swamp edges
Life spanAnnual
Classification
- OrderRosales
- FamilyUrticaceae
- GenusPilea
- SpeciesPilea pumila
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Stem Inspection: Hold the watery stem up to light to view its watery, glass-like structure.
- Habitat Spotting: Look along damp, muddy stream banks and deep shade during summer.
- Touch Safely: Gently feel the leaf undersides to verify the lack of stinging hairs.
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by georgiasteel · cc0
Close Relative (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Family Member (c) Alex Abair, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alex Abair · cc-by
Genus Relative Taken by Fanghong / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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