Scientific Name:
Stellaria media
Pronunciation:
stuh-LAIR-ee-uh MEE-dee-uh
Common Name:
chickweed
Family Name:
Caryophyllaceae
Plant Type:
Annual (true), Weed (horticultural)
Key ID Features:
Stems succulent with a single line of hairs and swollen at leaf node (ID feature of family); leaves opposite, ovate, 2-3cm long, glabrous (in contrast to mouse-ear checkweed); flowers white with five deeply notched petals
Habit:
Horizontal, Spreading
Form:
Creeping / Mat-like
Texture:
Fine
Mature Height:
< 0.1m
Mature Spread:
0.1 - 0.3m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
(Naturalized In BC)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 8b: (-9.4 to -7 °C)
Exposure:
Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Humus rich
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Attract beneficial insects, Herb, Wildlife food
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Opposite
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Glandular hairs
Colour in Fall:
Green
Shapes:
Ovate
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Decurrent, Obtuse
Margins:
Sinuate
Inflorescence Type:
Cyme
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Rotate/stellate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Not showy, White
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Green
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Fruit insignificant
Bark or Stem Colour:
Propagation:
Seed
