Seasonal Wild Flowers

Greater Chickweed

Stellaria neglecta

Caryophyllaceae

April to July

It is found mainly in western regions and East Anglia.

It is scattered elsewhere.

See the BSBI distribution map for Greater Chickweed

It grows in lightly-shaded woods and hedge-banks, and by

streams in a range of damp soils.

Greater Chickweed is a native, annual (or short-lived

perennial), variable, scrambling herb, growing up to

90cm.

Flowers are up to 11mm across with 5 deeply-divided

white petals (look like 10).

Petals are roughly the same size as the sepals.

Sepals and flower stalks are hairy.

There are 10 stamens and 3 styles.

The stamens appear first (protandrous).

Flower stalks are at first bent back, but are erect when

the flowers open.

Leaves are oval triangles, green, paired and the upper

ones are sessile.

Greater Chickweed in woodland, Dorset

Protandrous, 10-stamened flowers

5 divided petals, 3 styles, hairy sepals

Leaves