INTRODUCTION

Image of Pilea elegans

VIII Region, Contulmo, Chile
Altitude: 300 m. 02 20, 2006

DESCRIPTION

Plant type: Perennial

Flower: Green, 4 petals

Height: 80 cm.

Image of Pilea elegans

VIII Region, Contulmo, Chile
Altitude: 300 m. 02 20, 2006

HABITAT

In Chile this species grows in the following environmental conditions:

Habitat according to altitude:

Low altitude, interior valleys
Coastal mountains, 500 - 2000 m.
Coastal areas, 0 - 500 m

Watering conditions:

Humid areas, with almost constant rainfall. Short dry periods are possible (generally not longer than 1 month).

Light conditions:

In shadow. Steep slopes facing south or a vegetation cover which filters 40 - 80 % of light.
In deep shadow. Deep ravines facing south with additional shadow from trees, or where there is a very dense vegetation cover which gives 80 - 100 % shadow (for instance, the Valdivian forests)

Image of Pilea elegans

VIII Region, Contulmo, Chile
Altitude: 300 m. 02 20, 2006

USES

Good ornamental value (A)

Image of Pilea elegans

VIII Region, Contulmo, Chile
Altitude: 300 m. 02 20, 2006

GROWING TIPS

This species has the following hardiness:

USDA Hardiness Zone 9. The plant does not tolerate snow, but can tolerate occasional freezing spells of about - 5° C (the typical morning frost of central Chile).

Difficult to cultivate

If you are interested in purchasing seeds of this or similar species, please go to our On-line Seeds Shop.

More photos (14) of Pilea elegans Gay available here

More species from the same Urticaceae family in our data base:

Boehmeria excelsa

Parietaria debilis

Parietaria debilis

Pilea elegans (Coyanlahuén / Mellahuvilu)

Pilea elliptica

Urtica magellanica (Ortiga)

Urtica sp. #3033

Urtica urens