Common Chickweed

Common name: Common Chickweed

Botanical name: Stellaria media

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Life cycle: Annual

Habitat: Common chickweed is very common on waste areas, cultivated land, roadsides and hedgerows. It is rarely a problem on managed turf, however it can be a nuisance on newly seeded areas, before the grass has had sufficient time to establish.

Leaf: The light green leaves are oval in shape (sometimes with pointed tips) and are bourne in pairs

Flower: The flowers are small and white in colour, very similar to mouse-ear chickweed. Each flower has 5 petals which are so deeply lobed,  giving the appearance of 10 petals. Flowering period is typically between February and November.

Removal & Control: Common chickweed should not cause problems in managed turf. It is however, a nuisance on newly seeded areas, but once regular mowing commences and the lawn establishes is will disappear.