Common Chickweed

Stellaria media (L.) Vill.

Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family)

▲seedlings

▲ young plant

▲▼mature, flowering plants

▲mature plants in lawn

▲ leaves

▲▼ flowers

 

Common Chickweed: 

·         winter annual, with oval to lance-shaped opposite, light green leaves in the Caryophyllaceae (Pink) family

·         low-growing, branching stems with small (1/4"), white, star-like flowers that have five deeply-notched petals (looks like 10 petals)

·         grows 2-12” tall, with a 6-24” spread

·         prefers moist, fertile, partly shaded locations, but may grow anywhere

·         germinates in late fall, flowers in spring

·         not common in dense turf; more in new plantings or thin turf

·         similar species, thymeleaf sandwort, has smaller, less hairy leaves and the 5 petals are un-notched

·         similar species, mouse-ear chickweed is a perennial plant, and has more elongated flowering stems and the 5 petals are un-notched

·         control common chickweed by encouraging dense turf or pre-emergent herbicides in late summer, fall