How to identify Star Chickweed (Stellaria pubera)

How to identify Star Chickweed (Stellaria pubera)

Star Chickweed is a delicate perennial herb growing between 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) tall. Its branching is sparse, showcasing white, star-shaped flowers that add to its ornamental appeal. The flowering occurs mostly from mid-spring to late spring, around a one-month period. This plant is evergreen, with foliage persisting throughout the year, and its seeds continuously ripen. While fertile shoots present a terminal cyme of blossoms, the infertile ones, appearing later, do not flower. The root architecture consists of a central taproot accompanied by slender, fibrous roots, enabling it to occasionally form small clusters.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Star Chickweed

Delicate perennial herb, 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) tall

Star-shaped white flowers on sparse branching

Evergreen with persisting foliage and continuously ripening seeds

Slender stem with light green to pale purplish green coloration

Elliptical leaves up to 3 inches (7.6 cm) long, unstalked with pointed ends

Detailed Traits of Star Chickweed

Leaf Features

The leaves of star Chickweed are elliptical, up to 3 inches (7.6 cm) long and 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) broad. They are ovate, lanceolate, oblanceolate, elliptic, or broadly oblong, and are unstalked with pointed ends. The medium to dark green upper surface is finely pubescent, occasionally sparsely so. Leaf bases are sessile or nearly sessile, with tips being acute or blunt. Lower leaves often have short petioles and blunt tips compared to the upper leaves.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

The flowers of star Chickweed are half an inch (1.3 cm) wide, featuring five deeply bifurcated white petals that appear as ten linear segments. Each flower includes five lanceolate to ovate green sepals, matching or slightly exceeding the petals in length. Central to the flower is a white ovary crowned by three styles, surrounded by ten stamens with reddish-brown anthers. The pubescent pedicel measures up to 1 inch (2.5 cm). Blooming occurs from April to June.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

The stem of star Chickweed is slender and somewhat weak, typically displaying light green to pale purplish green coloration. It features two fine, hairy lines that run along its length, providing a unique textured appearance. The central stem is glabrous to moderately pubescent, with a smooth surface punctuated by occasional fine hairs. Branching can occur, but the stem mainly maintains its slim profile. Its delicate structure is a key characteristic for identification.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of star Chickweed is an ovoid capsule blatantly displaying its open apex, where 6 curved teeth elegantly fringe the upper rim. Concealed within, a bounty of minuscule seeds lay in wait, each a tiny globe, subtly flattened with a distinctive minutely warty texture. Their form is commonly marred by a slight notch, as if nature herself has left her mark. The fruit ripens to reveal its treasures from May to July, a capsule that carries the future of star Chickweed in many potential offspring.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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