The common name is artillery plant or artillery fern, but it is not a fern. It shoots its seeds a distance from the plant hence artillery, and its ability to spread. The Latin name is Pilea microphylla. It is grown as an ornamental pot plant in colder climates, but can become a nuisance in south Louisiana gardens.
What is artillery plant used for?
Artillery plant can become a weed since seeds germinate in the landscape. It is best used as a ground cover planted in a mass in a bed beneath existing trees. Do not mix with other ground covers or low shrubs since it will spread into these areas. The cultivar 'Variegata' has leaves blotched white and pink.
Is artillery plant edible?
Artillery plant apparently is edible, though we don't recommend it. The ASPCA has it on its list of nontoxic plants if that's any reassurance. It also has been used medicinally in Cuba. Some scientific testing of the compounds found in the plant show antibacterial and antioxidant potential.
Is artillery plant a moss?
Urticaceae. … creeping plants that includes the artillery plant (P. Baby tears (Helxine soleiroli), a mosslike creeping plant with round leaves, often is grown as a ground cover.
Is artillery plant poisonous?
Artillery Plant is an herbaceous perennial or annual that in its native tropical habitat it can be a groundcover. #houseplant#interiorscape#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant.
Why is it called artillery plant?
Artillery plant can blooms year round with tiny greenish flowers that are not particularly showy. Male flowers explosively discharge pollen into the air, hence the common name of artillery plant.Jun 1, 2020
How do you water an artillery plant?
Part of your artillery plant care includes keeping the soil moist, but not soaked. Water when the soil is dry to the touch.
Is artillery plant a fern?
The plant belongs to the family Urticaceae. It has light green, almost succulent, stems and tiny 1/8" leaves which contribute to its other nickname, "Artillery Fern", though it is not related to ferns. It is grown as a ground cover in many areas.