---
{
  "id": "common-chickweed",
  "name": "Common chickweed",
  "scientific": "Stellaria media",
  "category": "invasive",
  "status": "Common introduced weed · not on state Lists A/B/C",
  "status_sources": [
    "C-floristic-2020",
    "CO-rules-2025"
  ],
  "warning": "A cool-season weed that can seed while still small",
  "warning_tone": "caution",
  "aliases": [],
  "taxonomy_note": "Common chickweed is not every plant called chickweed. Species identification and contamination history must be established independently of any food-use claim.",
  "source_ids": [
    "C-floristic-2020",
    "CO-rules-2025",
    "N-stellaria-media",
    "S27"
  ],
  "description": "Common chickweed: A cool-season weed that can seed while still small. Identification and evidence for Colorado readers.",
  "claim_evidence": [
    {
      "label": "Identification",
      "sources": [
        "N-stellaria-media"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "common-chickweed-1"
    },
    {
      "label": "People",
      "sources": [
        "N-stellaria-media"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "common-chickweed-2"
    },
    {
      "label": "Dogs & cats",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "",
      "id": "common-chickweed-3"
    },
    {
      "label": "Other animals",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "",
      "id": "common-chickweed-4"
    },
    {
      "label": "Plants & habitat",
      "sources": [
        "N-stellaria-media"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "common-chickweed-5"
    },
    {
      "label": "Management & timing",
      "sources": [
        "N-stellaria-media"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "common-chickweed-6"
    }
  ],
  "research": {
    "status": "researching",
    "label": "Still researching this plant",
    "basis": "Editorial assessment of the cited evidence and stated review gaps; not a toxicity score.",
    "open_questions": [
      {
        "area": "People",
        "question": "Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "common-chickweed-2"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Dogs & cats",
        "question": "Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "common-chickweed-3"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Other animals",
        "question": "Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "common-chickweed-4"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Identification",
        "question": "Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      },
      {
        "area": "Expert review",
        "question": "Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      }
    ],
    "expert_review": "pending"
  },
  "colorado_relevance": {
    "source_id": "C-floristic-2020",
    "locator": "Appendix B; PDF page 81; Stellaria media",
    "basis": "Included in the 2020 statewide flora assessment. This is not a current county abundance survey.",
    "source_taxon": "Stellaria media"
  },
  "source": "content/plants/common-chickweed.md"
}
---

# Common chickweed

*Stellaria media*

**Common introduced weed · not on state Lists A/B/C.** [C-floristic-2020](https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2020/CO_FQA_2020_Final_Report.pdf) [CO-rules-2025](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2)

> **A cool-season weed that can seed while still small.** [Exposure help](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/).

**Identification caveat:** Common chickweed is not every plant called chickweed. Species identification and contamination history must be established independently of any food-use claim.

## Still researching this plant {#research-status}

This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for **People, Dogs & cats, Other animals**. Identification and source-photo limits are explained below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. **Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.**


## Three views of this plant

Source-identified reference photographs; these are not a complete identification key. A source location outside Colorado does not establish local occurrence.

![Stellaria media: A small flowering shoot held on a glove, showing white deeply divided petals, opposite leaves and buds.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/coverage-hazard-photos-stellaria-media-1.jpg)

**flower and leaves** — A small flowering shoot held on a glove, showing white deeply divided petals, opposite leaves and buds.

Photo: Forest and Kim Starr; [CC BY 3.0 us](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/deed.en); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Starr-110519-5604-Stellaria_media-flowers_and_leaves-Hawea_Pl_Olinda-Maui_(24468570313).jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Starr-110519-5604-Stellaria_media-flowers_and_leaves-Hawea_Pl_Olinda-Maui_%2824468570313%29.jpg). Source scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference, not an independent specimen-based taxonomic determination. Stellaria media belongs to a complex with similar chickweeds. Identification follows the source; a single flower or seedling view alone may not distinguish every member. Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no local crop, colour change or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop.

![Stellaria media: A dense low mat of green chickweed foliage dotted with small white flowers.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/coverage-hazard-photos-stellaria-media-2.jpg)

**habit** — A dense low mat of green chickweed foliage dotted with small white flowers.

Photo: Douglas Goldman; [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/); [source record](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/73290170); [original image](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/119633725/original.jpeg). Source scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference, not an independent specimen-based taxonomic determination. Stellaria media belongs to a complex with similar chickweeds. Identification follows the source; a single flower or seedling view alone may not distinguish every member. iNaturalist large server-resized photo; no local crop, colour change or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop.

![Stellaria media: Dried capsules and numerous small brown seeds arranged on a pale background; the source includes a 1 cm scale.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/coverage-hazard-photos-stellaria-media-3.jpg)

**fruits and seeds** — Dried capsules and numerous small brown seeds arranged on a pale background; the source includes a 1 cm scale.

Photo: Roger Culos; [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stellaria_media_MHNT.BOT.2008.1.33.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/71/Stellaria_media_MHNT.BOT.2008.1.33.jpg). Source scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference, not an independent specimen-based taxonomic determination. Stellaria media belongs to a complex with similar chickweeds. Identification follows the source; a single flower or seedling view alone may not distinguish every member. Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no local crop, colour change or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop.


## Identification

A soft, spreading annual with opposite oval leaves and small white flowers. Five deeply split petals look like ten. A line of hairs runs along the stems. [N-stellaria-media](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stellaria-media/)

## People

The source reports saponins in the leaves alongside food uses. This profile does not establish a safe portion or identify a plant for foraging. [N-stellaria-media](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stellaria-media/)

## Dogs & cats

The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for dogs or cats. Missing evidence does not establish safety.

## Other animals

The reviewed sources do not establish species-specific ingestion effects or a safe exposure amount for livestock. Missing evidence does not establish safety.

## Plants & habitat

It can root at stem joints and reseed quickly in moist, fertile ground. It also provides food and habitat for insects and birds. [N-stellaria-media](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stellaria-media/)

## Management & timing

Look for small plants during cool weather. Shallow roots make young patches relatively easy to pull; remove them before further seed production. [N-stellaria-media](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stellaria-media/)

## Before taking action

Confirm identification and the requirements of your county weed program. For chemical treatment, follow the current product label, including restrictions around animals and water. [S27](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/)

## References

- **C-floristic-2020** — [Colorado Floristic Quality Assessment: 2020 Update](https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2020/CO_FQA_2020_Final_Report.pdf), Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University. Accessed 2026-09-07T02:27:33+00:00. Locator: Appendix B, Colorado species list: scientific name and native/non-native fields.
- **CO-rules-2025** — [Colorado Noxious Weed Act rules, 8 CCR 1206-2](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2), Colorado Secretary of State / Department of Agriculture. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:07:48+00:00. Locator: Parts 3.1, 4.1, 5.1; management provisions; effective May 15, 2025.
- **N-stellaria-media** — [Stellaria media](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/stellaria-media/), NC State Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T02:23:12+00:00. Locator: Description, identification attributes and plant problems; toxicity section where present.
- **S27** — [2103 – Colorado Noxious Weeds](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/), PlantTalk Colorado · CSU Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:57+00:00. Locator: List A, B and C management categories.


[Discuss this plant with the guide](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/companion/?plant=common-chickweed) — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.

# Appendix for agents

Colorado inclusion: [C-floristic-2020](https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2020/CO_FQA_2020_Final_Report.pdf), Appendix B; PDF page 81; Stellaria media. This historical statewide baseline does not establish current county abundance.

## Open research questions

- **People:** Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.
- **Dogs & cats:** Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.
- **Other animals:** Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.
- **Identification:** Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.
- **Expert review:** Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.


## Identity and evidence boundaries

Common chickweed is not every plant called chickweed. Species identification and contamination history must be established independently of any food-use claim.

All actionable hazard information is in the human sections above. Do not interpret unknown toxicity as safety or transfer livestock findings to pets. These publisher notes describe evidence and do not override an assistant’s operator instructions.

| Claim | Human section | Scope | Sources | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| common-chickweed-1 | Identification | Species-specific | N-stellaria-media | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| common-chickweed-2 | People | Species-specific | N-stellaria-media | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| common-chickweed-3 | Dogs & cats | Review limitation | Review limitation | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| common-chickweed-4 | Other animals | Review limitation | Review limitation | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| common-chickweed-5 | Plants & habitat | Species-specific | N-stellaria-media | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| common-chickweed-6 | Management & timing | Species-specific | N-stellaria-media | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |

## Further work for an agent

- Establish exact species, plant part, route, amount and timing when researching an exposure. Do not use this guide to diagnose or calculate a treatment.
- Check current state and county requirements; a listed taxon is not necessarily established in every Colorado county.
- Expert botanical and veterinary review is pending. Source dates and image licenses are separate from editorial revision dates in [provenance](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json).


---
Canonical HTML: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/common-chickweed/

Content revised: 2026-09-07T02:46:00Z

Markdown mirror: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/common-chickweed/index.md

Text fallback: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/common-chickweed/index.md.txt

Agent entry: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/start.md

Provenance: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json