Parietaria judaica (spreading pellitory)

Parietaria judaica leaves

Leaf type: Ovate, oval, elliptical
Leaf margin: Ciliate
Phyllotaxis: Alternate
Colour: Green, glossy
Life cycle: Perennial herbaceous plant

Leaf (upper side)

Parietaria judaica leaf
The ovate leaves are more or less pointed.
Spreading pellitory leaves
The leaves have ciliate margins and the stems can be reddish in color.

Habitus & biology

Parietaria judaica grows upright, ascending (“semi-upright”) or flat with shoots that are between 10 and 100 centimeters long.

The leaves and green to reddish stems are slightly hairy, the hairs do not sting (“stinging nettle family”). The leaf edges are ciliate (slightly hairy).

habitus Parietaria judaica
Habitus of an upright growing plant.

Distribution & habitates

The original distribution area includes Europe, North Africa and West Asia. In Australia, North America and South America, Parietaria judaica is said to occur regionally as a neophyte (source).

It colonizes semi-shady to shady biotopes, in urban areas Parietaria judaica often grows on or on walls and in front of houses.

Spreading pellitoryon wall
Spreading pellitory on a wall in Malaga, Spain.
Parietaria judaica on wall
Parietaria judaica on a wall in Dinan, France.

Botany

Spreading pellitory (Parietaria judaica) belongs to the nettle family (Urticaceae).

Parietaria judaica spreading pellitory