Common chickweed (Stellaria media, Hist. Pl. Dauphiné 3: 615 (1789))

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Author: (L.) Vill.

Bibliography: Hist. Pl. Dauphiné 3: 615 (1789)

Year: 1789

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Stellaria

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Temp. Eurasia, N. & NE. Trop. Africa

Description

The Common chickweed, scientifically known as Stellaria media, is a member of the Caryophyllaceae family. It is a widespread plant found predominantly in temperate Eurasia, as well as Northern and Northeastern Tropical Africa. This small herbaceous plant has garnered attention not only for its resilience and prevalence but also for its historical documentation in botanical literature.

First described in “Histoire des Plantes du Dauphiné” in 1789 by the botanist (L.) Vill., Common chickweed has become well-documented in various floras and botanical references. Its distinct characteristics include small, star-shaped white flowers formed by five deeply lobed petals, which can often appear as ten due to their unique division.

Stellaria media thrives in a variety of habitats, from dense forests to moist, open fields, and lawns, which contributes to its perception as a ubiquitous and sometimes invasive species. Its adaptability is highlighted by its ability to grow throughout the year in milder climates and even persist under snow cover, making it a hardy survivor.

Notably, in addition to its botanical significance, Common chickweed has a place in traditional medicine and culinary practices. It has been historically used for its purported anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. Moreover, both the leaves and shoots are edible and are sometimes included in salads for their mild, crisp taste.

In summary, the Common chickweed or Stellaria media is a versatile and historically significant plant. Its presence across various continents and climates underscores its adaptability and importance, both ecologically and culturally.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig fuglegræs
Eng: chickweed, common chickweed, nodding chickweed, chickweed starwort, common starwort
Deu: gewöhnliche vogelmiere, vogel-sternmiere, vogel-sternmiere, vogelmiere, vogelmiere
Por: erva-de-passarinho, esperguta, hortelã, mirurje, morrião-branco, morrião-de-inverno, morrião-de-passarinho, morugem
Fra: mouron des oiseaux, stellaire moyenne, stellaire intermédiaire
Spa: pamplina, picagallina
Swe: pihatähtimö, våtarv, natagräs, nate
Fin: pihatähtimö
Nob: vassarve
Nno: vassarve
Sme: návethilsku, hilsku, muoskkáš
Cym: brechlys, gwlydd y cywion, gwlydd y dom, gwlydd y gwyddau, gwlydd yr ieir, gwlyddyn y dom gwlydd y dom, llynorlys, llysiau’r dom, tafod yr edn canolig
En: Common chickweed, Chickweed, Nodding chickweed, Chickweed starwort, Common starwort, Adder’s-mouth, Satinflower, Starweed, Starwort, Star chickweed, Starwort chickweed
Ar: قزازه (قِزآزه)
Ca: Picagallina, Tinya, Zitzània
Zh: Fan lu
Cs: Ptačinec prostřední
Da: Almindelig fuglegræs
Nl: Vogelmuur
Fi: Pihatähtimö
Fr: Mouron des oiseaux, Stellaire moyenne, Stellaire intermédiaire, Morgeline, Mouron blanc, Mouron pâle, Stellaire pâle, Stellaire sans pétales
De: Vogel-Sternmiere, Vogelmiere, Gewöhnliche Vogelmiere, Vogel-Sternmiere, Vogelmiere, Hühnerdarm
He: כוכבית מצויה
It: Budellina, Centocchio comune
Ja: Ko-ha-kobe
Se: Návethilsku, Hilsku, Muoskkáš
Nb: Vassarve
Nn: Vassarve
Pt: Morugem, Erva-de-passarinho, Esperguta, Hortelã, Mirurje, Morrião-branco, Morrião-de-inverno, Morrião-de-passarinho
Pt-br: Alsine, Morrião-branco, Morrião-de-inverno, Morrião-dos-passarinhos, Mastruço-do-brejo, Esparguta
Sk: Hviezdica prostredná
Es: Picagallina, Pamplina, Capiquí, Hierba canariera, Hierba de los canarios, Hierba pajarera, Pajarera, Capiqui, Higuaña
Sv: Våtarv, Pihatähtimö, Natagräs, Nate
Cy: Brechlys, Gwlydd y Cywion, Gwlydd y Dom, Gwlydd y Gwyddau, Gwlydd yr Ieir, Gwlyddyn y Dom Gwlydd y Dom, Llynorlys, Llysiau’r Dom, Tafod yr Edn Canolig

Synonyms

• Stellaria media subsp. typica (Bég.)
• Stellularia media ((L.) Kuntze)
• Malachia aquatica subsp. calycina ((Willk.) Nyman)
• Stellaria media var. cucubaloides ((Pau) Pau)
• Stellaria media var. malachiifolia (Merino)
• Stellaria media var. glabra (Merino)
• Stellaria media var. australis (Rouy)
• Alsine media (L.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Assam (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Chita (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• Djibouti (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• India (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Kuwait (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Oman (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Romania (native)
• Réunion (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
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Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Feb 27, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2017 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 11, 2019 by melen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 12, 2019 by Blanca Rodríguez Linares (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 3, 2019 by César Gonzalez (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Dec 3, 2021 by David Ochoa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 24, 2019 by david le nay (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 8, 2021 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 8, 2021 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 21, 2017 by Mehmet Basbag (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Feb 16, 2022 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 25, 2022 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 29, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 29, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 16, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 29, 2020 by Mota Peralta Eva María (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 1, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 25, 2022 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 16, 2022 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 10, 2021 by Fabrice Bourriquet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 9, 2022 by -Minute man- (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 31, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 18, 2022 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 31, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 24, 2016 by EOL − Chuck Sexton (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 1, 2022 by loreny antunes (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 1, 2022 by loreny antunes (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 7, 2021 by عزيز الشمري عزيز الشمري (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 27, 2019 by Wim Huysmans (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:159330-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5384604)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Stellaria media (L.) Vill.)

Specifications

Growth