pilea

[ pahy-lee-uh, pil-ee-uh ]

noun

1. any of numerous plants belonging to the genus Pilea, of the nettle family, many species of which are cultivated for their ornamental foliage.

pilea

/ ˈpɪlɪə /

noun

1. any plant of the tropical annual or perennial genus Pilea, esp P. muscosa, the artillery or gunpowder plant, which releases a cloud of pollen when shaken; some others are grown for their ornamental foliage: family Urticaceae

Word History and Origins

Origin of pilea¹

< New Latin (1821), coinage based on Latin pīleus, pilleus skullcap ( pileus, -a ² ); originally so called because one of the three sepals forms a hood over the fruit

Word History and Origins

Origin of pilea¹

New Latin, from Greek pilos cap (from the shape of the segments of the perianth)

Example Sentences

The adorable Pilea peperomioides is known as “the friendship plant” because it produces so many baby plants, or pups, at its base that you can pull out, propagate and gift to friends.

From Los Angeles Times

The adorable Pilea peperomioides is known as “the friendship plant” because it produces so many baby plants, or pups, at its base that you can pull out, propagate and gift to friends.

From Los Angeles Times

Former “It” plants like the pilea peperomioides, with its coin-shaped leaves, and the fiddle leaf fig, a fixture of home design catalogs, have been bumped out of vogue.

From New York Times

There are chocolate brown and speckled buff vessels for caudex, pagoda planters for Adenia glauca, checkerboard glazed pots for pussywillows, striped planters for Pilea peperomioides and philodendrons and donut-shaped vessels for hoyas and airplants.

From Los Angeles Times

The Pilea peperomioides is known for its round shiny leaves and is often called the friendship plant because it grows baby plants that can easily be propagated in water or soil and given as gifts.

From Los Angeles Times