*Stellaria media

Family Caryophyllaceae

Chickweed

Annual prostrate herb with slender taproot, spreading about 30 cm. Longevity less than 1 year.

Flowers: White, June – November.

Fruit: Capsule 5 – 7 mm long, containing 2 -17 seeds, June – November.

Seed: 0.8 – 1.3 mm diameter, reddish brown. Seeds released very quickly. Soil stored seedbank for at least 10 years.

Gallery images: seed, seedling, rootstock, resprout

Ecology

  • Native of Northern hemisphere.
  • Weed of cultivation and gardens in full sun.
  • Rare in woodland at the Australian Botanic Garden.
  • Killed by fire.
  • Probably needs soil disturbance for seed recruitment.

Asterisk * indicates exotic species naturalised at the Australian Botanic Garden.

Ecology of Cumberland Plain Woodland

Stellaria media plant

Stellaria media flower

Stellaria media fruit