COMMON CHICKWEED– Stellaria media

Family – Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family)
Genus– Stellaria (Starwort)
Synonym - Alsine media

 

CHICKWEED– Stellaria media is a cold weather herb very common here in the southeastern United States in the fall, winter and early spring. It is a perennial plant in colder climates up north, but only a cold weather annual here in the south because it dies back once warm weather hits. It is sometimes said to be one of the best wild salads, having a delicate nutty flavor.  The taste of raw chickweed  reminds me somewhat as having a raw peanut flavor.

Common Chickweed - Stellaria media

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There are around 32 species of chickweeds falling under the Stellaria (Starwort) genus but only a few edibles grow in our area. Common Chickweed (S. media) and Star Chickweed (S. pubera) both fall under the Stellaria Genus while Big Mouse-ear Chickweed (Cerastium vulgatum), Sticky Chickweed (Cerastium glomeratum) and Common Mouse-ear Chickweed (Cerastium fontanum) are all in the Cerastium (Mouse-eared Chickweed) Genus. The Cerastiums and the Stellaria are kissing cousins, falling in the same Caryophyllaceae (Pin) family as the other chickweeds. There are quite a few other species of Chickweed not discussed here and their edibility needs to be verified with a credible source before eating.

Star Chickweed - Stellaria pubera

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The name Stellaria or "stella" is latin meaning star which refers to the shape of the flower of this species. Star Chickweed is our native chickweed and Common Chickweed was introduced from Eurasia.

Common chickweed (S. Media) grows close to the ground with leafy shoots having clusters of white flowers, each with five deeply notched petals which without close inspection sometimes appear to be 10 individual white petals. The leaves are in opposite pairs and ovate and the stems have a single line of hairs running between nodes.

 

Common Chickweed - Stellaria media

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Common chickweed is located across the entire United States and Canada including Alaska and Hawaii while Star Chickweed's range is limited to the eastern United States, west to Texas, Nebraska and Minnesota from Florida to Vermont. It can be found in both sunny and shady areas with common chickweed more prone to cultivated or disturbed ground, yards, moist or wet areas and fence rows while Star Chickweed is more often found in wooded areas.

 Common Chickweed - Stellaria media

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Notice the "String" Inside the Stem of Chickweed
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Historically the Iroquois fed chickweed to the chickens. Interesting that they did that considering it was probably more nutritious than many other plants they were eating. It was used medicinally by the Chipewa as a wash for sore eyes and used by the Iroquois as a poultice applied to cuts, wounds and swellings (Moerman).

Darryl Patton in his book Mountain Medicine tells us that the famous mountain herbalist Tommy Bass drank chickweed tea in his later years after heart surgery to successfully remove the swelling in his ankles. Among other uses, Patton says chickweed can help dull the appetite by lessening the desire to eat, and as a salve, has the ability to heal itchy skin and soothe inflamed tissue. He also says that chickweed is an "indispensable ingredient" in cough and cold tonics because of its ability to break up congestion acting as an expectorant. It also can be used as a "gentle and efficient cleansing diuretic" for bladder and kidney trouble (Patton).

Chickweed is highly nutritious and prolific garden weed that tastes just as delicious as the very vegetables it competes with in your garden. By far, the more common of the two edible Starworts (Stellaria) here in the southeast actually called common chickweed - Stellaria media. The less common of the two in the area, but the one with the most magnificent flower is Star Chickweed - Stellaria pubera.

It is high in vitamin C, minerals, a fixed oil and some saponin. and the stems and leaves make a great raw addition to salads or it can be cooked as a vegetable only needing a few minutes of boiling or steaming before being ready to eat. Native Americans used the seeds to make bread and thicken soups. The flowering tops can be used as a garnish or eaten raw. Health food enthusiasts mix chickweed leaves with other assorted greens and liquidfy them into what they call a "green drink". It has even been made into a vitamin rich tea.

Making "Green Drink" in a Blender with Water
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The Finished Product - "Green Drink"
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The "other" chickweeds, better known as Mouse Ear Chickweeds of the Cerastium genus, aren't as pleasant looking or tasty as the Stellaria chickweeds are hairy but edible just the same. There are numerous species of Mouse Ear Chickweeds growing in the southeast, both native to our area or introduced from other countries. Fivestamen Chickweed - Cerastium Semidecandrum is one that grows in the southeast but was introduced from Europe and can be cooked and eaten. Field Chickweed - Cerastium arvense, is not as common but also edible.

 

Mouse-ear Chickweed - Cerastium - Similar Flower, but Hairier Leaves & Stems

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As you see above, Mouse-ear Chickweeds have much more hair on the leaves and stems and should definitely be cooked if eaten at all. There is a toxic plant that grows in the south which resembles chickweed called scarlet pimpernel - Anagallis arvensis. Familiarize yourself with this plant as it sometimes grows in the same areas as chickweed and does resemble it until the scarlet colored flowers bloom.   However, Chickweed has round stems and Scarlet Pimpernel has square stems.  Another important note is that chickweeds do not have white sap so if your suspected chickweed has white sap, don't eat it.