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Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK |
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Oklahoma Alfalfa |
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Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK |
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Oklahoma Alfalfa |
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Common Chickweed |
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| 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. |
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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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