Stellaria media

Stellaria media, commonly known as chickweed, is a flowering plant species in the family Caryophyllaceae. It is native to Eurasia and is naturalized throughout the world.

Description

Stellaria media is an annual and winter annual plant that grows up to 40 cm high. It has a slender taproot and is often mat-forming. The leaves are opposite, smooth, and have entire margins. The flowers are small, white, and have five deeply notched petals.

Distribution and habitat

Stellaria media is native to Eurasia but has naturalized throughout much of the world, including North America, Australia, and New Zealand. It is commonly found in lawns, gardens, and fields, and prefers moist, nutrient-rich soils.

Uses

Stellaria media has been used as a leaf vegetable, often raw in salads. It is also used in herbal medicine for skin diseases and to relieve inflammation.

Cultivation

Stellaria media is a common weed and can be easily grown in a variety of conditions. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and can tolerate partial shade to full sun.

Taxonomy

The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. The genus name Stellaria comes from the Latin word for star, referring to the shape of the flowers. The species name media means "intermediate" in Latin.

See also

• List of Stellaria species
• Caryophyllaceae

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