Stellaria media, Chickweed.

Stellaria media, Chickweed is a member of the pink family (Caryophyllaceae). The genus name Stellaria comes from the Latin stella, a star. Chickweed is best described as a winter annual. The small, opposite oval leaves are tender and delectable, and in places where weeds grow and thrive on neglect, it’s abundant enough to make a big salad. Some will dismiss it as a “weed, of no known use”, or proclaim “let us not waste any more time and space on the imagined medicinal value of this ineffective herb.” Tea of this common Eurasian herb is traditionally used as a cooling demulcent and expectorant to relieve coughs; also used externally for skin diseases and to allay itching, anti-inflammatory.



Email: sfoster@stevenfoster.com, or call +1-479-253-2629 for licensing terms and fees. All images © Copyright Steven Foster. Thank you!