Pilea wightii Wedd., Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot., sér. 4, 1: 186 1854. (syn: Adicea wightii (Wedd.) Kuntze; Pilea huegelii Blume; Urtica radicans Wight);
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S. India, Sri Lanka, China (Guangxi, Guangdong): China Southeast, India, Sri Lanka as per POWO;
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Slender herbs, glabrous. Leaves 1-3 x 1-2 cm, broadly ovate to suborbicular, acute, subcordate at base, crenate, 3-ribbed; petiole 2-4 cm long. Female cymes 1-2 cm across, shortly peduncled, branches pink; perianth lobes curved, smooth. Achenes 0.5 x 0.5 mm, biconvex, smooth or tubercled.
Flowering and fruiting: October-December
(Attributions: Dr. N Sasidharan (Dr. B P Pal Fellow), Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi as per India Biodiversity Portal)
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What is the botanical name of this herb. The stem is translucent, the plant appears only during monsoon.
Date & Time 18/6/ 2010
Location: Place, Altitude, GPS Chethalayam, Sultan Bathery, Wayanad, Kerala.
Habitat: Garden, Urban, Wild Type: Wild
Plant Habit: Tree, Shrub, Climber, Herb Annual herb
Height, Length. 10”
Leaves Type, Shape, Size Oval, pointed, ¾”
Inflorescence Type Size
Flowers Size Colour Calyx Bracts-
Fruits Type, Shape, Size Seeds
Other Information like Frangrance, Pollinator, Uses. Stem translucent, plants seen only during monsoon.
I have seen this plant in Pattambi, Kerala. When I accidently touched this plant, I got stinging like sensation all over my hand. Looks like from the nettle family.
You have made an incorrect guess. The plant you are referring to is different. We have quite a bit of it. This plant as you will notice in one of the pictures is held by me in my hand. It does not create any allergy.
This plant is very tender, the stem contains a very large part of transparent fluid, in fact most of it is fluid.
… then it could be any other leaves before I touched this plant.
I feel it to be Girardinia diversifolia – (Link.) Friis. from Family Urticaceae
It is not Giradinia diversifolia. Please check the link below.
http://en.wikipedia.Girardinia_diversifolia_2
Agee with … This is Laportea interrupta [Fleurya interrupta] a type of stinging nettle.
In Bengali we call Laportea interrupta as “Lal Bichuti” [Red Stinging nettle] . A member of Urticaceae hence causes itching which we touch the tip of the stem with young leaves which has some stinging hair causing the irritation but older parts are safe. Probably … touched the tip of this plant and as from the photo of … I see the is holding the base of the stem so never realized the sting but the stinging hairs are visible in the photos.
Adding the link from Flora of China with description and illustration
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=242328231
The plant you are referring to is different. I will send you the pictures of it within 1/2 an hour. This is different. It is not Laprtea interrupta. In fact I am just attaching a copy of the picture of Laportea interrupta for your perusal. I must admit however, that both the plants appear very similar to each other. The difference is in the stem. The stem of the plant that I have sent is almost transparent and the stem of Laportea interrupta is redish and has fine hair like particles on it. It is taking too long to upload as such am sending them to you by picasa.
… would it be some species of Acalypha ?
Looks like Acalypha species..
However, I look forward for validation of its id!
a great choice rally do the plant looks like Pilea pumila !! Thanks for pointing out the features overlooked by me.
I think you have got it spot on. Here is a link with pictures
If anyone familiar with Rajmachi, goes near the catchment of Tungi dam, he/she would surely come across this stinging plant specially during/post monsoon season
The plant is not what you state. Its identity has been confirmed as Pilea Pumila, identified by …, confirmed by … I have also copied a link in my last mail which clearly shows the pictures of Pilea pumila. These pictures matches the ones posted my me.
I think it is Urtica Parviflora
No, it is not Urtica Parviflora. It is Pilea Pumila only.
Lecanthus peduncularis...?
To me appears close to Pilea wightii as per Flora of Peninsular India and GBIF specimens- one, two, three
Kindly check and confirm pl.
Growing as a weed
Bangalore
August 2014
Could it be Pilea nummularifolia??
I followed your lead and found that this unidentified herb (attached) photographed by me was Pilea nummularifolia whilst a simple search of http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/140735/ proved that the original plant posted is, most likely, Pilea pumila. Both are ornamentals and exotics.
Please let me know what you think sir,
There is some chance of this being Pilea wightii as per Flora of Peninsular India and GBIF specimens- one, two, three
Kindly check and confirm.
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References: POWO Catalogue of Life The Plant List Ver.1.1 Tropicos IPNI Flora of Peninsular India and GBIF specimens- one, two, three (High resolution specimens) Flora of China India Biodiversity Portal IBIS Flora (Flora of British India) Kerala plants
