Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Early Spring Wildflower - Star Chickweed

Tuesday, April 30, 2019
The Star Chickweed has begun lighting up the forest floor with its small, white, cheery flowers.

Common Name:
Star Chickweed
Botanical Name:
Stellaria pubera
Family:
Caryophyllaceae – Pinks
Sun:
Shade
Soil:
Rich, well drained
Southern Indiana Wildflowers

Hardiness Zone:
USDA Zone 3- 9
Propagation:
Seed, division, cuttings
Flower Time - Southern Indiana:
April
Plant Height:
Six - sixteen inches
Flower Color:
White
Stellaria, or Star Chickweed appears in April in the southeastern Indiana forests. It forms clumps of snow-white flowers on the forest floor. You will find it occupying rocky slopes, mainly above streams, in the deep forest. Stellaria pubera does well in the shaded perennial garden. Seed, dividing the plants, or taking cuttings, may propagate it.
Stellaria comes from the Latin word stellar, which means star like and refers to the shape and color of the flower. The word pubera is Latin for soft, short hairs and describe the hairy stem. Chickweed seeds are a valuable source of food for birds. Foragers may harvest the plant before it flowers. It is a nutritious green, containing copious quantities of vitamins A and C.