Pilea microphylla also known as rockweed, artillery plant or gunpowder plant is an annual plant native to Florida, Mexico, the West Indies, and tropical Central and Southern America. In the southern part of México, the local name is Frescura.
Growing artillery plants (Pilea serpyllacea) provide an interesting ground cover option for shady gardens in the warmest of southern states. Artillery plants can also provide fine succulent-textured, green foliage for containers as the flowers are not showy. Related to the aluminum plant and the friendship plant of the genus Pilea, artillery plant info indicates this plant got its name from its dispersal of pollen. The tiny, green, male flowers burst the pollen into the air in an explosive-like manner.