Common Chickweed

Stellaria media

Plant Data

Order:

Caryophyllales

Family:

Caryophyllaceae (Pink)

Type:

Flower

Flowering Months:

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
(in flower all year round)

Flower:

White, 5 petals

Tiny white flowers with 5 deeply notched petals. 5 green hairy sepals with membranous edges. 3-8 yellowish stamens, later turning reddish brown.

Fruit:

Green, hairy, oval fruits on long drooping stalks.

Leaves:

Light green opposite leaves, pointed and hairless. The lower leaves are stalked.

Maximum Size:

30 centimetres tall

Foraging Notes:

The entire plant, stems, seeds, leaves and fruit, can be eaten raw or cooked. Chickweed is very nutritious and can be used in salads. Some say its fresh taste is similar to spinach.
Never consume a wild plant unless you are 100% certain that it is safe to eat and you know that you have identified it correctly.

Aroma:

The leaves have a fresh sweet smell.

Other Names:

Adder's Mouth, Chickenwort, Chickwittles, Craches, Indian Chickweed, Maruns, Mischievous Jack, Nodding Chickweed, Satinflower, Scarweed, Star Chickweed, Starweed, Starwort, Stitchwort, Tongue Grass, White Bird's Eye, Winterweed.

Frequency (UK):

Abundant

Habitats:

Farmland, gardens, roadsides, seaside, wasteland, woodland.