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Common chickweed

How to identify Common chickweed (Stellaria media)

Common chickweed, also known as Winterweed, Craches

Common chickweed is characterized by its small white flowers, each with five deeply lobed petals that can give the appearance of ten. These flowers are held aloft on slender, hairy stems up to 16 inches (40 cm) high. Its green leaves are oval-shaped with pointed tips and grow opposite each other on the stem, measuring up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) long. This plant typically has a sprawling, mat-forming growth habit, creating dense patches on the ground.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Annual, Biennial, Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Common chickweed

1

Tiny white flowers with split petals resembling ten, held on hairy stems up to 16 inches (40 cm) high.

2

Oval-shaped green leaves with pointed tips, growing opposite each other on the stem, up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) long.

3

Sprawling, mat-forming growth habit creating dense patches on the ground.

4

White delicate flowers with five bifid petals, five lanceolate sepals, and hairy exteriors.

5

Cylindrical light brown seed capsule with 6 petite teeth, housing reddish-brown seeds, finely bumpy texture.

Common chickweedCommon chickweedCommon chickweedCommon chickweedCommon chickweed

Detailed Traits of Common chickweed

Leaf Features

The leaves of common chickweed are oval-ovate to broadly elliptic, measuring up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length and 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) across. The upper surface is hairless, while the lower surface is occasionally hairy. Leaves near the base have short, slightly hairy petioles, whereas those near the tip of each stem are sessile. The margins are entire (toothless), and the leaves are larger toward the tips of the stems.

Leaf Shape

Ovate

Common chickweed Leaf Shape image
Leaf Base

Cordate

Common chickweed Leaf Base image
Leaf Arrangement

Opposite

Common chickweed Leaf Arrangement image
Leaf Apex

Acuminate ,
Acute

Common chickweed Leaf Apex image
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Flower Features

The flowers of common chickweed are white and delicate, measuring about 1/4 inch (6 mm) across. Each flower features five bifid petals, appearing as ten due to their split nature, and five green, lanceolate sepals that are longer than the petals. The sepals are hairy on the outside and at least 1/8 inch (3 mm) in length. Inside the flower are three white styles, two to ten stamens, and a light green ovary. Blooming occurs sporadically over 1-2 months during spring, summer, or autumn.

Common chickweed Flower imageCommon chickweed Flower image
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Stem Features

The stem of common chickweed is characteristically succulent, exhibiting a green to burgundy coloration. It typically features lines of white hairs along its length, which adds to its distinctive appearance. The stems are thin, averaging about 0.1 inches (2-3 mm) in diameter. They are somewhat delicate in texture and tend to branch frequently, giving the plant a sprawling, mat-like growth habit. The combination of these features aids in the easy identification of common chickweed.

Common chickweed Stem imageCommon chickweed Stem image
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Fruit Features

The fruit of common chickweed is a cylindrical seed capsule, subtly light brown in color, adorned with 6 petite teeth circling the upper rim. This capsule houses a bounty of seeds; each one is a reddish-brown hue, delicately flattened with an orbicular-reniform shape that spans just a few millimeters across. The surface texture of the seed is finely bumpy, an intricate detail that distinguishes it further. These characteristics of the fruit are notable for those seeking to identify and understand common chickweed.

Common chickweed Fruit image
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Key Facts About Common chickweed

Attributes of Common chickweed
Lifespan
Annual, Biennial, Perennial
Plant Type
Herb
Flower Size
2 mm to 5 mm
Flower Color
White
Fruit Color
Brown
Copper
Stem Color
Green
White
Brown
Leaf type
Deciduous
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Scientific Classification of Common chickweed

Family
Pink
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Species
Common chickweed (Stellaria media)
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Distribution Map of Common chickweed

Common chickweed is native across Europe (though extinct in Switzerland) and southern and western Asia. It is considered invasive in several North American states. Common chickweed lives in moist, shady locations and can take over native vegetation.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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