Nearctica - Eastern Wildflowers - Caryophyllaceae - Long-leaved Chickweed (Stellaria longifolia)

Long-leaved Chickweed

(Stellaria longifolia)

Color Photograph: Matthew C. Perry, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, U.S. Dept. Interior

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

Stellaria graminea

Long-leaved Stitchwort is similar to Lesser Stitchwort. However the flowers of Lesser Stitchwort arise only from the top of the stem.

Cerastium arvense

Field Chickweed has its petals divided only one quarter to one half of their length.

Long-leaved Chickweed (Stellaria longifolia)

Identification: Flowers white with 5 petals, each petal deeply slit (about two-thirds of its length) and appearing as 10 petals. Flowers arising from not only the top of the plant, but also from leaf axils further down the stem. Leaves elongate, narrow, with smooth outer margins. Plant 12 to 20 inches in height.

Distribution: Throughout most of North America except for the southeastern and south-central United States.

Habitat: Long-leaved Chickweed is found in pastures, meadows, and swamps.

Flowering period: May to July.

Long-leaved Chickweed (Stellaria longifolia)

Similar Species:

Lesser Stitchwort (Stellaria graminea)

Field Chickweed (Cerastium arvense)

Similar Species