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

Cf. Haec mera libertas, hoc nobis pilea donant; and servos ad pileum vocare (Livy).

From Project Gutenberg