Plant species

common chickweed Stellaria media

Caryophyllaceae

Species information

Description

A low herb with opposite leaves and small, usually white, five-parted flowers. A very common weed of cultivated and disturbed soils; the five white petals are deeply divided and appear as ten.

Plant traits

Growth form

annual forb

Life cycle

annual or perennial

Height

5–40 cm

Typical season

123456789101112

Active growth

Flowering

Fruiting

Timing varies with site and year.

Habitat conditions

Habitat

ruderal habitats · arable land · gardens and parks

Light

full sun · partial shade

Moisture

mesic · moist

Soil

indifferent

Substrate

indifferent

Pollination

self-pollination · insect pollination

Status

native

Interesting facts

A line of fine hairs runs along one side of the stem and changes sides at successive nodes, a useful identification clue.

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