Chickweed (Stellaria media) is a winter annual. It is mostly prostrate, but often forms small mounds by growing on top of itself. It is commonly found in field nurseries, ornamental beds and lawns. To control common chickweed, we recommend preemergence control with Dimension® specialty herbicide — the foundation of success for any rigorous and impactful Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.
What to look for: Low-spreading prostrate winter annual with light-green leaves. Foliage is opposite along the stem with hairy petioles.
Life cycle: Winter annual reproducing by seed or by stem rooting at inter-nodes. One plant can produce many generations of seedlings during a season.
Leaves: Light green, mostly hairless, opposite, broadly ovate or heart-shaped with pointed tips.
Flowers: White half-inch flowers are formed in clusters at the terminal end of the stem. Each flower has five petals, so deeply lobed that it appears to have 10. Flowers in the spring.
Roots: Shallow and fibrous
Commonly found: Thrives in fertile, moist, disturbed areas, such as field nurseries, landscape beds and lawns.
Look-alikes: Mouse-ear chickweed (a perennial life-cycle)
Treatment recommendations: Common chickweed is best controlled with a preemergence herbicide, such as Dimension® specialty herbicide, the foundation of success for any IPM program, in late summer or early fall, at the time of germination or immediately after cultivation.
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