Its weak-fibred stem, lopping over the ground, is green, and smooth, with a barely visible little line of hairs down one side.
The small oval leaves have entire edges, and a smooth surface; they grow in pairs and are of a full green color.
The 5 white petals of the small flower are so deeply notched as to look like 10 very narrow ones; they are shorter than the 5 green calyx divisions; the flowers grow singly on short foot-stems, from the leaf-angles.
The Chickweed is a common plant of the dooryard, but without the usual obnoxious habits of a “weed,—” it is unobtrusive in demeanor, and, the roots having but a slight hold on the ground, is easily removed where undesired. It is a natural weather-glass, and can be trusted not to open its starry eye when rain threatens. The “Hen’s Inheritance” is an English folk-name for this plant.
COMMON CHICKWEED: Stellaria media.
| Long-Leaved Stitchwort. | Stellaria longifolia. |
Found blossoming in June, in the tall grasses of wet meadows.
This almost thread-like and weak-fibred stalk varies from 6 to 15 inches in height, and is branching and leafy, almost square, with somewhat roughened angles, and pale green color.
The long grass-like leaves are very taper-pointed at each end, thin, and smooth, and in color full green, paler underneath; they are set upon the stalk in pairs, at long intervals.