Stellaria pubera
| Star chickweed | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Core eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Caryophyllaceae |
| Genus: | Stellaria |
| Species: | S. pubera |
| Binomial name | |
| Stellaria pubera Michx. | |
Stellaria pubera, the star chickweed,[1] is a wildflower found in the eastern United States.
Identification
Close examination of the flower reveals that the apparent 10 petals are actually 5 that are deeply cleft. Notched petals are a characteristic of this taxonomic group – the Pink family. The blossom does however, look star-like, with its white, pointed petals surrounding a yellow center. Stamens arising from the center are tipped with dark anthers.
Close examination of the stem shows rows of hairs running up the stem, switching sides at each node. This characteristic gives this plant its specific epithet: “pubera” – meaning hairy.
An early spring bloomer, star chickweed may be seen as early as April. It grows 6-12 inches high. The leaves are oval shaped, growing opposite one another along the weak and sometimes reclining stem.
There are more than a dozen other species of chickweed, many of which were introduced from Europe. One of these exotics, common chickweed, Stellaria media, is often pulled as a weed, and can be differentiated from native star chickweed as common chickweed is quite hairy on stem and leaves. Star chickweed, sometimes called great chickweed, is so named because compared to all its relatives, this plant has large showy flowers.
Natural History
The star-shaped flowers of star chickweed inspired the common and Latin name for this flower. "Stellaria" comes from the Latin word stellar which means star-like. "Pubera," meaning hairy, comes from the lines of hairs that line the stem. It has a long growing season, and produces many tiny seeds. These seeds are commonly eaten by birds, hence its name “chickweed” or another common name given this plant is "bird seed" for this reason.
Conservation
Star chickweed is endangered in the state of New Jersey.[2]
References
- ↑ "Stellaria pubera". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
- ↑ "List of Endangered Plant Species and Plant Species of Concern" (PDF). New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Retrieved 11 April 2012.