Common Chickweed
Classification:
Family: Caryophyllaceae, pink family
Genus species: Stellaria media
Leaves:
Leaves are short, ovate.
Flowers:
Flowers are small with five white petals. Petals are so deeply cleft that flowers seem to have ten petals. Sepals are longer than petals.
More Information:
Chickweed is often eaten by chickens, hence the name "chickweed."
The genus name Stellaria is from the Latin for "star-like," referring to the star-shaped flowers. The species name media is from the Latin for "intermediate" or "mid-sized."
Photos:Common chickweed
![Common chickweed](https://www.depauw.edu/files/naturepark/plants/thumb_common-chickweed-01.jpg)
Close-up view of flowers
![Close-up view of flowers](https://www.depauw.edu/files/naturepark/plants/thumb_common-chickweed-02.jpg)