Rockweed
Pilea microphylla
Family: Urticaceae
What it is like
A herb that grows each year from seed. It is a creeping plant. The stems are branched. The leaves are very small and fleshy. They are round and 2-3 mm across. The flowers are white and of one sex. They form groups in the axils of the leaves. There are only a few flowers. The fruit is small and has one seed.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. In Ecuador it grows between sea level and 3,500 m above sea level. It is often in shady areas and near water. It can survive in dry places. In Argentina it grows below 500 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, American Samoa, Argentina, Asia, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Caroline Islands, China, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Fiji, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Indochina, Kiribati, Laos, Maldives, Marquesas, Mexico, Nauru, Niue, Pacific, Rotuma, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, South America (country/location of origin), SE Asia, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, West Africa, West Indies
How it is used for food
The leaves are eaten raw.
It is sold in local markets in China.
Edible parts
Leaves - spice, plant - spice, plant - tea
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Artillery plant, Gunpowder plant, Mariyan hui, Paquixiuitl, Reh, Sassa, Siempre viva, Tou ming
Synonyms
Adicea hemiarioides (Sw.) Small; Adicea microphylla Kuntze; Adicea microphylla var. hemiariodes (Sw) Kuntze; Adicea microphylla var. trianthemoides (Sw.) Kuntze; Chamaecnide microphylla Nees ex Miq.; Dudrueilia microphylla (L.) Gaudich.; Parietaria microphylla L.; Pilea globosa Wedd.; Pilea microphylla var. longifolia Wedd.; Pilea muscosa Lindl.; Pilea muscosa var. microphylla (L.) Wedd.; Pilea portula Liebm.; Pilea serpyllacea (Kunth) Liebm.; Pilea serpyllacea (Kunth) Wedd.; Pilea serpyllacea (Kunth) Hook. & Arn.; Pilea subcrenata Weddel nom. illeg.; Pilea succulenta Hook. f.; Pilea thymifolia Blume; Pilea trianthemoides var. microphylla (L.) Wedd.; Urtica herniarifolia Willd.; Urtica microphylla (L.) Sw.; Urtica portulacoides Spreng.; Urtica serpyllacea Kunth; Urtica thymifolia Kunth;