Water Chickweed

stellaria aquatica

Water Chickweed, scientifically known as Stellaria aquatica (and formerly Myosoton aquaticum), is a sprawling, moisture-loving perennial herbaceous plant that thrives in temperate zones. Found along stream banks, wet ditches, and marshy meadows, this resilient plant plays a quiet but vital role in its local ecosystem. It acts as a natural soil stabilizer along waterways, preventing erosion during minor floods, while offering shelter and nourishment to various insects. Though often overlooked due to its resemblance to other common weeds, its lush, leafy tangles and delicate star-like flowers lend a soft, green charm to wetlands and damp woodlands. It is a highly adaptable species that serves as a beautiful example of nature's simple, robust designs.

Habitat: Typically found in wet, fertile soils along the edges of rivers, streams, ditches, damp woodlands, and marshy meadows.

Appearance

Water Chickweed is characterized by its sprawling, brittle stems that can reach up to 120 cm in length, often relying on surrounding vegetation for support. The upper parts of the stems are covered in sticky, glandular hairs. Its leaves are opposite, bright green, heart-shaped or broadly oval, and typically range from 2 to 5 cm in length, with the lower leaves having short stalks and the upper leaves being stalkless. The most distinctive feature is its flower: a small, white blossom with five petals that are so deeply cleft they easily appear to be ten separate petals. At the center of the flower, a keen observer will spot five distinct styles, a key identifying feature that distinguishes it from other chickweed species which typically have only three.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyCaryophyllaceaeGenusStellaria

Water Chickweed

Interesting facts

Each of the five white petals is split so deeply in the middle that the flower appears to have ten petals to the casual observer.

Its sticky stem hairs function as a natural physical trap, preventing tiny crawling pests from climbing up to damage the delicate reproductive parts of the flower.

While most chickweeds have three styles in the center of their flowers, Water Chickweed has five, which historically caused botanists to place it in its own genus, Myosoton.

Special abilities

Stems easily produce new roots at their nodes when they make contact with moist soil, allowing the plant to spread rapidly and survive physical damage from flooding.

The upper stems and flower stalks are covered in sticky, glandular hairs that act as a barrier to deter crawling insects from reaching and stealing nectar.

The plant is highly adapted to waterlogged soils, possessing specialized cell structures that facilitate oxygen transport even when submerged.

Measurements & details

Length: 10-120 cm
Lifespan: 1-2 years

Diet & Feeding

As a photoautotrophic plant, Water Chickweed utilizes sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to synthesize sugars through photosynthesis, drawing essential minerals from moist soils.

Primary Foods

Sunlight
Carbon Dioxide
Water
Nitrogen
Phosphorus

Ecological connections

eaten by

Large Yellow Underwing

Noctua pronuba

The caterpillars of this moth feed on the lush foliage of the Water Chickweed.

mutualism

Honeybee

Apis mellifera

Bees visit the open flowers of Water Chickweed for nectar and pollen, aiding in pollination.

parasite

Green Peach Aphid

Myzus persicae

Aphids suck nutrient-rich sap from the tender, fleshy stems of the plant.

Traits

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Also known as

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Water Chickweed?

The easiest way to identify Water Chickweed is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Water Chickweed?

10-120 cm

How long does Water Chickweed live?

1-2 years

What does Water Chickweed eat?

As a photoautotrophic plant, Water Chickweed utilizes sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to synthesize sugars through photosynthesis, drawing essential minerals from moist soils.

Where is Water Chickweed usually found?

Typically found in wet, fertile soils along the edges of rivers, streams, ditches, damp woodlands, and marshy meadows.