Stellaria media 5164546 225452503 2008-07-13T19:42:57Z Thijs!bot 1392310 robot Adding: [[ro:Răcovină]] {{Taxobox | name = Common chickweed | image = Stellaria_media_NRM.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = Closeup of the common chickweed. | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]] | classis = [[Magnoliopsida]] | ordo = [[Caryophyllales]] | familia = [[Caryophyllaceae]] | genus = ''[[Stellaria]]'' | species = '''''S. media''''' | binomial = ''Stellaria media'' | binomial_authority = ([[L.]]) [[Dominique Villars|Vill.]] | synonyms = ''Alsine media'' <small>L.</small><br> ''Stellaria Apetala'' <small>[[Bernardino da Ucria|Ucria]] ex [[Johann Jacob Roemer|Roem.]]</small> }} [[Image:StellariaMedia001.JPG|thumb|Whole plant|right|200px]] The '''common chickweed''' (''Stellaria media'') is a cool-season annual [[plant]] native to [[Europe]], which is often eaten by [[chicken]]s. It is commonly also called '''Chickenwort''', '''Craches''', '''Maruns''', '''Winterweed'''. The plant germinates in fall or late winter, then forms large mats of foliage. Flowers are small and white, followed quickly by the seed pods. This plant flowers and sets seed at the same time. In both Europe and [[North America]] this plant is an invasive [[weed]] of gardens <ref>{{cite book | last=Neltje| first=Blanchan| authorlink=Neltje Blanchan | title=[[Wild Flowers Worth Knowing]] | year=2005 | publisher=[[Project Gutenberg|Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation]]}}</ref>, fields, and disturbed grounds. Control is difficult due to the heavy seed sets, although herbicides are effective when the plants are small. Common Chickweed is very competitive with small grains, and can produce up to 80% yield losses among barley.<ref>A. Davis, K. Renner, C. Sprague, L. Dyer, D. Mutch (2005). Integrated Weed Management. MSU.</ref> ==Folklore== The plant has uses in folk medicine. 17th century herbalist [[John Gerard]] recommended it as a remedy for [[mange]]. Modern [[herbalist]]s prescribe it for skin diseases, [[bronchitis]], [[rheumatic]] pains, [[arthritis]] and [[period pain]]. a poultice of chickweed can be applied to cuts, burns and bruises. Not all of these uses are supported by scientific evidence.<ref>{{cite book|last=Howard| first=Michael| title=Traditional folk remedies : a comprehensive herbal| year=1987| publisher=Century| location=London| pages=p.119|isbn= 0712617310}}</ref> == Distribution and Identification == ''Stellaria media'' is edible and nutritious, and is used as [[leaf vegetable]]s, often raw in [[salad]]s. ''Stellaria media'' is widespread in North America from the [[Brooks Range]] in Alaska to all points south within North America. There are several closely related plants referred to as chickweed, but which lack the culinary and medicinal properties of plants in the genus ''Stellaria.'' Plants in the genus ''Cerastium'' are very similar in appearance to ''Stellaria'' and are in the same family (Carophyllaceae). ''Stellaria media'' can be easily distinguished from all other members of this family by examining the stems. ''Stellaria'' has fine hairs on only one side of the stem in a single band. Other members of the family ''Carophyllaceae'' which resemble ''Stellaria'' have hairs uniformly covering the entire stem. ==References== Chickweed water is an old wives' remedy for obesity. <references/> Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West, Gregory L. Tilford, ISBN 0-87842-359-1 ==Further reading== * {{Cite book |last=Everitt |first=J.H. |coauthors=Lonard, R.L., Little, C.R. |title=Weeds in South Texas and Northern Mexico |publisher=Texas Tech University Press |location=Lubbock |year=2007}} ISBN 0-89672-614-2 ==External links== {{wikiversity-bc|Stellaria media}} [http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Stellaria+media Stellaria media] at [[Plants for a Future]] [[Category:Caryophyllaceae]] [[Category:Flora of Europe]] [[Category:Flora of the Antipodes Islands]] [[Category:Garden plants]] [[Category:Medicinal plants]] {{Caryophyllales-stub}} [[bg:Врабчови чревца]] [[ca:Morró]] [[da:Almindelig Fuglegræs]] [[de:Gewöhnliche Vogelmiere]] [[et:Vesihein]] [[es:Stellaria media]] [[fr:Mouron des oiseaux]] [[gl:Muruxa]] [[is:Haugarfi]] [[lv:Parastā virza]] [[lt:Daržinė žliūgė]] [[hu:Tyúkhúr]] [[nl:Vogelmuur]] [[nds-nl:Voegelmure]] [[no:Vassarve]] [[pl:Gwiazdnica pospolita]] [[pt:Morugem]] [[ro:Răcovină]] [[ru:Звездчатка средняя]] [[se:Hilsku]] [[fi:Pihatähtimö]] [[sv:Våtarv]]