Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma Alfalfa
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station

Common Chickweed

COMMON NAME: Common Chickweed
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Stellaria media (L.) Vill.
TYPE: Annual Cool-season Broadleaf Weed
DESCRIPTION                                                       
    Germination: September to December.
    Reproduction: By seeds the following spring (April to May).
    Stems: Branched, creeping or ascending, resulting in low spreading plant 4 to 12 inches high.
    Leaves: Small, opposite, simple, broadly ovate, pointed at the tips, smooth.
    Flowers/
Inflorescence:
Small, white, with 5 deeply notched petals.
  
Fruit: Capsule, egg-shaped, splitting into 6 sections.

FOUND:

Common chickweed is found in lawns, gardens, alfalfa, strawberry beds, and nurseries. It is very common in alfalfa but not considered a major weed problem since the species are not real competitive. Most plants mature in April before the first hay cutting.

CONTROL:

In seedling stands, good control of common chickweed is obtained with EPTAM. In established stands, good control may be obtained with residual herbicides like VELPAR and SINBAR (0.5 lb/A active ingredient) applied in January to February.
In Alfalfa Plant Leaf Plant Seed Head
Additional Common Chickweed Images
Jim Stritzke
Former Alfalfa Weed Control Specialist
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences
Oklahoma State University

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