Clearweed

Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District

Clearweed
Pilea pumila [C-value 5]
Nettle family (Urticaceae)
Blooms August - September

The native Clearweed is common in our area. This woodland plant prefers light shade and moist to wet rich loamy soil. It is often found in floodplain forests and shady or partially shaded wetland areas including seeps and borders of streams. This annual is ½–2' tall, branching occasionally in the upper half with round smooth stems are translucent, hence the common name. The opposite leaves are ¾–4" long and about one-half as much across. They are ovate, hairless, and coarsely toothed with long petioles. From the axil of each upper leaf, there develops a narrow raceme of flowers up to 1" long and greenish white or greenish yellow.

Clearweed at Hoover Forest Preserve September 25, 2013

Clearweed at Jay Woods Forest Preserve (along creek) September 3, 2014

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