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Weed Identification

Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Science Virginia Cooperative Extension

common chickweed

Family

Caryophyllaceae

Scientific Name

Stellaria media
Weed photograph 1
Weed photograph 2
Weed photograph 3
Weed photograph 4
Weed photograph 5
Weed photograph 6

Habit

A succulent prostrate plant that reproduces by seed that germinate in fall. Plants grow during the winter and produce white flowers and seed in the spring. All plant parts die by mid summer in sunny areas and lawns. Plants may persist somewhat longer in shady areas but usually die out completely before summer ends.

Leaves

Leaves are small (1 to 3 cm long) and broadly eliptic or egg-shaped with pointed ends. Leaves are light green, succulent, and lack hairs. Leaf stems (petioles) are typically hairless but may have sparse hairs near the base. Some upper leaves lack stems and arise directly from the main stem (sessile). Leaf edges are smooth.

Identifying Characteristics

Stems of seedlings are usually hairy although mature plants typically lack hairs. Leaves are short, fat, and pointed. Flowers are white with characteristic five petals (each petal is split into two lobes). Plants are low growing (typically shorter than 15 cm.

Flower Seed Head

Flowers are white and borne on the tips of leafy stems. Petals are split into two lobes giving the apperance of two petals for each petal. Flowers actually have five petals although they may appear to have ten.

Seed Fruit

Fruit is a 1-celled capsule filled with numerous tiny seed. Seed are just over 1 mm wide, somewhat flattened and circular except for a notch in the margin. Seed are light brown to reddish brown and have many tiny bumps on the surface.

Where Found

Plants are found almost anywhere. Common in lawns and flower beds, plants thrive in moist shady areas but are not restricted to those areas.

Growth Habit

prostrate and nonwoody

Thorns or Spines

not present

Approximate Flower Diameter

pencil

Dominant Flower Color

white

Flower Symmetry

not symmetrical

Leaf Hairs

has hairs

Leaf Shape

lance

Leaf Arrangement

opposite

Leaf Margin

entire

Leaf Structure

pinnate

Leaf Stalk

shorter than leaf

Stem Hairs

has hairs

Stem Cross Section

square or multi-edged

Milky Sap

not present

Root Structure

fibrous

Life Cycle

winter annual

Ochrea

not present

Plant Type

Herb