Wild ForageCaution

Chickweed

Stellaria media

Low, sprawling cool-season green with a single line of hairs on the stem. Spurge is the look-alike to rule out.

Chickweed: Whole plant — Whole plantPhoto: John Brown · CC0 · source

Chickweed: Flower — FlowerPhoto: Forest and Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0 us · source

Chickweed: Look-alike side by side. Spotted spurge (Euphorbia maculata), a toxic look-alike — Look-alike side by sideSpotted spurge (Euphorbia maculata), a toxic look-alikePhoto: John Brown · CC0 · source

Chickweed: Look-alike side by side. Scarlet pimpernel (Lysimachia arvensis), a toxic look-alike — Look-alike side by sideScarlet pimpernel (Lysimachia arvensis), a toxic look-alikePhoto: John Brown · CC0 · source

Confirm EVERY point before you eat it

One line of fine hairs runs along one side of the stem, switching sides at each leaf pair
Small, smooth, opposite oval leaves; lower leaves have stalks
Tiny white flowers with 5 petals split so deeply they look like 10
Stem pulls apart with a thin, elastic, wiry core
NO milky sap when a stem is broken

0 of 5 confirmed. If any point does not match, it is not this plant.

Look-alikes to rule out

Spotted/prostrate spurgeToxic
Milky white sap when broken, flat mat, often a red-purple blotch on each leaf. Irritating and toxic.
Scarlet pimpernelToxic
Square stem, orange-red flowers, dark dots on the underside of the leaf.

In season

Cool-season plant; dies back in summer heat.

Habitat

Gardens, shaded lawn edges, disturbed damp soil.

Parts used

tender stems, leaves, flowers

Preparation and use

Raw in salads or pesto, in moderation.

Harvest note

Harvest from clean, unsprayed beds.

Educational reference only. Never eat a wild plant or mushroom based on a website or app. Confirm with an experienced forager, your local extension office, or a mycological club. Poison Control (US): 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 for severe symptoms.