common chickweed
(Stellaria media)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Origin
Native to Europe.
Appearance
Stellaria media is a winter annual that reproduces by seed and can grow up to 11.8″ (30 cm) in height. It typically forms dense patches.
Foliage
The leaves are opposite and ovoid with a sharp tip.
Flowers
The white flowers are star-shaped and held on a leafless scape (flower stem).
Fruit
The fruit is a capsule with many tiny seeds.
Ecological Threat
S. media is a common weed in turfgrass. In agronomic crops, it is easily controlled because it has a very shallow, fragile root system.
Native to Europe.
Appearance
Stellaria media is a winter annual that reproduces by seed and can grow up to 11.8″ (30 cm) in height. It typically forms dense patches.
Foliage
The leaves are opposite and ovoid with a sharp tip.
Flowers
The white flowers are star-shaped and held on a leafless scape (flower stem).
Fruit
The fruit is a capsule with many tiny seeds.
Ecological Threat
S. media is a common weed in turfgrass. In agronomic crops, it is easily controlled because it has a very shallow, fragile root system.
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- Invasive Plant Species of West Virginia
- Kentucky Exotic Pest Plant Council - Severe Threat
- National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
- Pacific Northwest Exotic Pest Plant Council, 1998
- Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Invasive Plants
- Virginia Invasive Plant Species List
- West Virginia Invasive Species Strategic Plan and Volunteer Guidelines 2014
- West Virginia Native Plant Society, Flora West Virginia Project, and West Virginia Curatorial Database System, September 3, 1999
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Caryophyllanae |
| Order: Caryophyllales |
| Family: Caryophyllaceae |
| Subfamily: Alsinoideae |
| Tribe: Alsineae |
| Genus: Stellaria |
| Stellaria media |
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.