Chickweed
Stellaria media
Caryophyllaceae
Reported to be edible and have medicinal properties. Erosion control or dune stabilization
Chickweed is common throughout the world, where it can be found in lawns, cultivation, orchards nurseries, waste places and fields. Chickweed is often an annual in cooler climates, while becoming perennial in warmer zones. The slender stems have a spreading growth habit and can reach up to 40 cm. Plants are sparsely hairy and a distinguishing feature is one line of fine hairs on the stem. Plants have small white flowers. A single plant can produce a few thousand seeds, which are reported to remain viable in the soil for 25-40 years. Even in cooler climates, several generations are produced per year. Plants can reach flowering after only 5 weeks in some conditions. Chickweed is capable of self and cross pollination. Chickweed will tolerate a range of soil conditions, but thrives in moist soil where nitrogen is plentiful.
The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract primarily small bees and flies, while less common floral visitors include nectar-seeking butterflies and parasitoid wasps (Illinois Wildflowers). Illinois Wildflowers also provides a list of insects known to target chickweed plants: Cassida flaveola (Pale Tortoise Beetle), Abstrusomyzus phloxae (Aphids), Coleophora coenosipennella (Case-bearer Moths), Euphyia unangulata (Sharp-angled Carpet), Haematopis grataria (Chickweed Geometer), Lobocleta ossularia (Drab Brown Wave), Scopula junctaria (Simple Wave), Xanthorhoe ferrugata (Dark-barred Twin-spot), Agnorisma badinodis (Pale-banded Dart), Agrotis venerabilis (Venerable Dart), Feltia jaculifera (Dingy Cutworm Moth), Lacinipolia renigera (Bristly Cutworm Moth), Peridroma saucia (Variegated Cutworm Moth), Xestia c-nigrum (Lesser Black-letter Dart), Hyles lineata (White-lined Sphinx) (Illinois Wildflowers Myzus ascalonicus has also been reported on Chickweed. Chickweed is susceptible to downy mildew, which is caused by the oomycete species Peronospora alsinearum. A number of nematode species which carry viral diseases are associated with Chickweed, some of these include strawberry nematode (Aphelenchoides fragariae), Meloidogyne ardenensis, Heterodera schachtii, >Ditylenchus dispaci, Longidorus elongatus, Meloidogyne hapla, Pratylenchus penetrans, Trichodorus pachydermus and T. primitivus (Cabi). A number of viruses have also been isolated, including Oat blue dwarf virus, Beet western yellows virus, Tomato spotted wilt virus, Carnation ringspot virus, Cucumber mosaic virus, Lettuce mosaic virus, Raspberry ringspot virus and Strawberry latent ringspot virus (Cabi). Other viruses include beet mild yellowing virus, and tomato blackring virus.