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Clearweed (Pilea pumila)

• Family: Nettle (Urticaceae)
• Flowering: July-October.
• Field Marks: The clear, translucent stems and the opposite leaves with 3 strong main veins distinguish this species.
• Habitat: Low woods, along streams, around ponds.
• Habit: Annual herb with fibrous roots.
• Stems: Erect, usually unbranched, translucent, smooth, up to 2 feet tall.
• Leaves: Opposite, simple, ovate, tapering to a long point at the tip, rounded or tapering to the base, conspicuously 3-veined, coarsely toothed, smooth, up to 4 inches long.
• Flowers: Male and female flowers borne separately in the same axillary spikes, greenish.
• Sepals: Green, minute, usually 4 in the male flowers, usually 3 in the female flowers.
• Petals: 0.
• Stamens: 4.
• Pistils: Ovary superior.
• Fruits: Achenes ovoid, flattened, green but often marked with purple, up to 1/12 inch long.