Chickweed (Stellaria media): Weed management guide for Australian vegetable production

Chickweed (Stellaria media) is a branched sprawling annual herb, native to Europe, with delicate stems up to 60 cm in length but usually 5-40 cm in length.

Leaves are between 1-3 cm in length, usually almost free of hairs, bright green, and oval to broadly elliptical in shape, with pointed tips. The numerous flowers are white, 3.0-6.5 mm in width when fully open, and comprised of five deeply divided petals (giving the appearance of ten petals), and are surrounded by longer hairy sepals.

Plants are diffusely branched from the plant base, with a distinct line of hairs visible between the stem joints (nodes). Roots are capable of forming from the lower nodes. The root system is shallow, dense and fibrous, and features a slender tap root.

Most vegetable farmers will be well aware of chickweed and how to identify it. However in some cases, depending on stage of growth and experience in identification, it may be possible to mis-identify chickweed as certain other Stellaria species, for example lesser chickweed (Stellaria pallida). Chickweed also closely resembles pimpernel (Lysimachia arvensis), a weed sometimes found on vegetable farms. However, pimpernel may be distinguished most readily by having either red or blue/purple flowers, and somewhat fleshier leaves.