Stellaria media

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Common chickweed
Kaldari Stellaria media 01.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Genus: Stellaria
Species:
S. media
Binomial name
Stellaria media
Synonyms
  • Alsine mediaL.
  • Stellaria media subsp. typicaBég.
  • Stellularia media(L.) Kuntze

Stellaria media, chickweed, is an annual flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae. It is native to Eurasia and naturalized throughout the world, where it is a weed of waste ground, farmland and gardens. It is sometimes grown as a salad crop or for poultry consumption.

Contents

Description

Chickweed is a hardy annual which flowers throughout the year in northern Europe, in mild weather. [1] The stems are terete and glabrous with a lax and sprawling growth habit, up to 400 mm (16 inches) long and 1 mm (0.039 inches) in diameter, with a line (very occasionally 2 lines) of hairs running straight down its length, alternating sides at the nodes. The petioles are 5 to 8 mm long with hairy margins. The leaves are green, hairless, oval and opposite, 6 to 25 mm long by 3 to 10 mm wide with a hydathode at the tip. [2] [3]

The flowers are small, less than 1 cm in diameter, with 5 bifid white petals, 1–3 mm long, nestled inside the larger (3–5 mm long) sepals. These sepals have long, wavy (villous) hairs on their outer (distal) sides and are oval in shape, and usually 5 in number. There are often only 3 stamens but sometimes more (up to 8) and 3 styles. Many publications state that chickweed sometimes has no petals at all, but this may be due to confusion with lesser chickweed, which used to be considered a subspecies but is now considered to be a species in its own right. [4] [3] [5] [6]

The flowers quickly form capsules. Plants may have flowers and capsules at the same time.

Taxonomy

The name Stellaria media was published by Domínique Villars in Histoire des plantes du Dauphiné in 1789. It has accumulated a huge number of synonyms since then, as well as many putative varieties and subspecies, very few of which are accepted today. [7]

The name Stellaria is derived from the word 'stella' meaning 'star', [8] which is a reference to the shape of its flowers; media is Latin for 'between', 'intermediate', or 'mid-sized'. [9]

It is sometimes called common chickweed to distinguish it from other plants called chickweed. Other common names include chickenwort, craches, maruns, and winterweed.

Identification

Chickweeds have a line of hairs along one side of stem. Stellaria media stem hairs.jpg
Chickweeds have a line of hairs along one side of stem.

Chickweeds are recognisable by the line of hairs down the stem. The species most likely to be confused with chickweeds are mouse-ears ( Cerastium ), however, mouse-ears are hairy all over (leaves and stems).

Common chickweed can be differentiated from lesser chickweed by the presence of white petals on the former and from greater chickweed by 3–8 stamens present compared to 8–10 found in greater chickweed. [10] [11] Water chickweed has petals longer than the sepals. [2]

Distribution

The sepals have very long hairs Stellaria Media (Common Chickweed).jpg
The sepals have very long hairs
Seeds MHNT Stellaria media MHNT.BOT.2008.1.33.jpg
Seeds MHNT

Stellaria media is widespread in Asia, Europe, North America, and other parts of the world. There are several closely related plants referred to as chickweed, but which lack the culinary properties of plants in the genus Stellaria.

Habitat and ecology

Stellaria media is common in lawns, meadows, waste places, and open areas. [12] [13] Its Ellenberg values in Britain are L = 7, F = 5, R = 6, N = 7, and S = 0. [14]

The larvae of the following species of Lepidoptera feed on chickweed: chickweed geometer ( Haematopis grataria ), yellow shell ( Camptogramma bilineata ), pale-banded dart ( Agnorisma badinodis ), dusky cutworm ( Agrotis venerabilis ) and dainty sulphur ( Nathalis iole ). It is susceptible to downy mildew caused by the oomycete species Peronospora alsinearum. [15]

StellariaMedia001.JPG
Stellaria in Nationaal Park De Biesbosch (DSC 3705).jpg

Uses

Stellaria media is edible and nutritious, and is used as a leaf vegetable, often raw in salads. [16] It is one of the ingredients of the symbolic dish consumed in the Japanese spring-time festival, Nanakusa-no-sekku . Some varieties or similar species may be too fibrous to eat. [17]

It is also eaten by chickens, wild birds, and mountain sheep. [18] [19]

Chickweed contains plant chemicals known as saponins, which can be toxic to some species (notably fish). It is unlikely that most land animals will be affected, as the quantities involved are not large. However, it is not advised for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. [20]

It is said to have medicinal properties and is used in folk medicine. It has been used as a remedy to treat itchy skin conditions and pulmonary diseases. [21] 17th-century herbalist John Gerard recommended it as a remedy for mange. Modern herbalists prescribe it for iron-deficiency anemia (for its high iron content), as well as for skin diseases, bronchitis, rheumatic pains, arthritis, and period pain. [22] Not all of these uses are supported by scientific evidence. [23] The plant was used by the Ainu for treating bruises and aching bones. Stems were steeped in hot water before being applied externally to affected areas. [24]

Chemistry

The anthraquinones emodin, parietin (physcion) and questin, the flavonoid kaempferol-3,7-O-α-L-dirhamnoside, the phytosterols β-sitosterol and daucosterol, and the fatty alcohol 1-hexacosanol can be found in S. media. [25] Other flavonoid constituents are apigenin 6-C-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-8-C-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside, apigenin 6-C-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-8-C-beta-D-galactopyranoside, apigenin 6-C-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-8-C-beta-L-arabinopyranoside, apigenin 6-C-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-8-C-beta-D-galactopyranoside, apigenin 6, 8-di-C-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside. [26] The plant also contains triterpenoid saponins [27] [28] of the hydroxylated oleanolic acid type. [29] Proanthocyanidins are present in the testa of seeds. [30]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<i>Anagallis arvensis</i> Species of flowering plant in the primrose family

Anagallis arvensis, commonly known as the scarlet pimpernel, red pimpernel, red chickweed, poor man's barometer, poor man's weather-glass, shepherd's weather glass or shepherd's clock, is a species of low-growing annual plant with brightly coloured flowers, most often scarlet but also bright blue and sometimes pink. The native range of the species is Europe and Western Asia and North Africa. The species has been distributed widely by humans, either deliberately as an ornamental flower or accidentally. A. arvensis is now naturalised almost worldwide, with a range that encompasses the Americas, Central and East Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Malesia, the Pacific Islands, Australasia and Southern Africa.

<i>Stellaria</i> Genus of flowering plants in the carnation family Caryophyllaceae

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<i>Agrostemma githago</i> Species of flowering plant in the carnation family Caryophyllaceae

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edible flower</span> Flowers that may be consumed safely

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<i>Stellaria pubera</i> Species of flowering plant in the carnation family Caryophyllaceae

Stellaria pubera, commonly called the star chickweed, is a spring-flowering plant in the carnation family Caryophyllaceae, native to the eastern United States.

<i>Draba verna</i> Species of flowering plant

Draba verna, common whitlowgrass, is a species of plant in the cabbage family. It is a small spring-flowering annual which is widely dispersed around the world, and which is found on walls, pavements and patches of bare ground. It has a complex taxonomy which is not yet fully elucidated.

<i>Barringtonia acutangula</i> Species of plant

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<i>Nymphaea odorata</i> Species of aquatic plant

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<i>Erodium moschatum</i> Species of flowering plant

Erodium moschatum is a species of flowering plant in the geranium family known by the common names musk stork's-bill and whitestem filaree. This is a weedy annual or biennial herb which is native to much of Eurasia and North Africa but can be found on most continents where it is an introduced species.

<i>Cerastium fontanum</i> Species of flowering plant

Cerastium fontanum, also called mouse-ear chickweed, common mouse-ear, or starweed, is a species of mat-forming perennial or, rarely, annual plant. It is native to Europe but introduced elsewhere. Its identifying characteristics are tear-shaped leaves growing opposite one another in a star pattern, hairy leaves, and small white flowers. Mouse-ear chickweed typically grows to 4"-8" tall and spreads horizontally along the ground via the formation of roots wherever the stem falls over and contacts the ground.

<i>Oenanthe javanica</i> Species of plant

Oenanthe javanica, commonly Java waterdropwort, water celery, water dropwort, Chinese celery, Indian pennywort, minari and Japanese parsley, is a plant of the genus Oenanthe originating from East Asia. It has a widespread native distribution in temperate Asia and tropical Asia, and is also native to Queensland, Australia.

<i>Stellaria neglecta</i> Species of flowering plant in the carnation family Caryophyllaceae

Stellaria neglecta, greater chickweed, is an annual to short-lived herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae. It is native to Europe and Asia, where it grows in hedges and woodland margins on neutral to slightly acid, damp soils, and is widespread but rarely abundant. It has been introduced to North America, where it has been spreading in recent decades.

<i>Stellaria apetala</i> Species of flowering plant in the carnation family Caryophyllaceae

Stellaria apetala, lesser chickweed, is an annual herbaceous plant in the flowering plant family Caryophyllaceae. It occurs in short, sandy grassland by the sea and, less often, in similar habitat inland. It is native to Europe and is well established as an introduced species worldwide.

<i>Engellaria</i> Species of flowering plant

Engellaria obtusa is a species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae known by the common names Rocky Mountain chickweed, blunt-sepaled starwort, and obtuse starwort. It is the sole species in genus Engellaria. It is native to western North America, from British Columbia and Alberta to California to Colorado, where it grows in moist areas in forests and on mountain slopes.

<i>Stellaria alsine</i> Species of flowering plant in the carnation family Caryophyllaceae

Stellaria alsine, the bog stitchwort, is a species of herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the carnation family Caryophyllaceae. It grows in bogs and marshes in Europe and parts of North America.

<i>Stellaria pungens</i> Species of plant

Stellaria pungens, commonly known as prickly starwort, is a flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is a small, mat forming perennial with white star-shaped flowers and small sharply pointed, bright green leaves.

Stellaria corei, with the common names of Tennessee chickweed, star chickweed, Tennessee starwort, and Tennessee stitchwort, is a species of flowering plant native to parts of Eastern USA.

References

  1. ↑ "Stellaria media". RHS. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  2. 1 2 Stace, C.A. (2019). New Flora of the British Isles. Suffolk. ISBN   978-1-5272-2630-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. 1 2 Poland, John; Clement, Eric (2009). The Vegetative Key to the British Flora. Southampton: John Poland. ISBN   978-0-9560144-0-5.
  4. ↑ Parnell, J. and Curtis, T. 2012. Webb's An Irish Flora. Cork University Press. ISBN   978-185918-4783
  5. ↑ Rose, Francis (2006). The Wild Flower Key. London: Frederick Warne. ISBN   978-0-7232-5175-0.
  6. ↑ Stellaria media var. apetala (Ucria ex Roem.) Gaudin. "Global Biodiversity Information Forum" . Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  7. ↑ Global Biodiversity Information Facility. "Stellaria media (L.) Vill" . Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  8. ↑ Stearn, William T. (1980). Botanical Latin: History, Grammar, Syntax, Terminology and Vocabulary. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. ISBN   0-7153-5645-3.
  9. ↑ Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. ISBN   9780521866453 (hardback), ISBN   9780521685535 (paperback). pp 253, 361
  10. ↑ Morton, John K. (5 November 2020). "Stellaria media - FNA". Flora of North America. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  11. ↑ Morton, John K. (5 November 2020). "Stellaria neglecta - FNA". Flora of North America. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  12. ↑ Hackney, P. (ed) 1992. Stewart and Corry's Flora of the North-east of Ireland. Institute of Irish Studies, The Queen's University of Belfast. ISBN   0-85389-446-9(HB)
  13. ↑ Webb, D.A. Parnell, J. and Doogue, D. 1996. An Irish Flora. Dundalgan Press (W.Tempest) Ltd. ISBN   0-85221-131-7
  14. ↑ Hill, M.O.; Mountford, J.O.; Roy, D.B.; Bunce, R.G.H. (1999). Ellenberg's indicator values for British plants. ECOFACT Volume 2. Technical Annex (PDF). Institute of Terrestrial Ecology. ISBN   1870393481 . Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  15. ↑ Constantinescu, O. (1991). "An annotated list of Peronospora names". Thunbergia. 15.
  16. ↑ Stellaria media at Plants for a Future
  17. ↑ Benoliel, Doug (2011). Northwest Foraging: The Classic Guide to Edible Plants of the Pacific Northwest (Rev. and updated ed.). Seattle, WA: Skipstone. p. 63. ISBN   978-1-59485-366-1. OCLC   668195076.
  18. ↑ Niering, William A.; Olmstead, Nancy C. (1985) [1979]. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, Eastern Region. Knopf. p. 462. ISBN   0-394-50432-1.
  19. ↑ Angier, Bradford (1974). Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants. Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Books. p. 62. ISBN   0-8117-0616-8. OCLC   799792.
  20. ↑ "Stellaria media". PFAF.org. Plants for a future. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  21. ↑ Hensel, Wolfgang (2008). Medicinal plants of Britain and Europe. London: A&C Black. ISBN   9781408101544.
  22. ↑ Wiest, Renee. "Chickweed". hartonweb.com. Good Health Herbs. Retrieved 15 Dec 2015.
  23. ↑ Howard, Michael (1987). Traditional folk remedies : a comprehensive herbal. London: Century. p. 119. ISBN   0-7126-1731-0.
  24. ↑ Batchelor, J. and Miyabe, K. (n.d.). Ainu economic plants. 1st ed. 1893.
  25. ↑ Studies on the Chemical Constituents From Stellaria media (II). Huang Yuan, Dong Qi, Qiao Shan-Yi, Pharmaceutical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army, 2007-03 (abstract) (Article in Chinese)
  26. ↑ Dong, Q; Huang, Y; Qiao, SY (2007). "Studies on chemical constituents from stellaria media. I". Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi = Zhongguo Zhongyao Zazhi = China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica (in Chinese). 32 (11): 1048–51. PMID   17672340.
  27. ↑ Hu, Y.M.; Wang, H.; Ye, W.C.; Qian, L. (2009). "New triterpenoid fromStellaria media(L.) Cyr". Natural Product Research. 23 (14): 1274–8. doi:10.1080/14786410701642532. PMID   19735039. S2CID   34873907.
  28. ↑ Weng, A; Thakur, M; Beceren-Braun, F; Gilabert-Oriol, R; Boettger, S; Melzig, MF; Fuchs, H (2012). "Synergistic interaction of triterpenoid saponins and plant protein toxins". Planta Medica. 78 (11). doi:10.1055/s-0032-1320271.
  29. ↑ Böttger, Stefan; Melzig, Matthias F. (2011). "Triterpenoid saponins of the Caryophyllaceae and Illecebraceae family". Phytochemistry Letters. 4 (2): 59. Bibcode:2011PChL....4...59B. doi:10.1016/j.phytol.2010.08.003.
  30. ↑ Bittrich, V.; Amaral, Maria Do Carmo E. (1991). "Proanthocyanidins in the testa of centrospermous seeds". Biochemical Systematics and Ecology. 19 (4): 319. doi:10.1016/0305-1978(91)90020-Z.

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