chickweed

chickweed
/chik"weed'/, n.
1. any plant of the genus Stellaria, of the pink family, as S. media, a common Old World weed whose leaves and seeds are relished by birds.
2. any of various allied plants.
[1325-75; ME chiken wede. See CHICK, WEED1]

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Either of two species of small-leaved weeds, in the pink family.

Common chickweed, or stitchwort (Stellaria media), is native to Europe but widely naturalized. It usually grows to 18 in. (45 cm) but is a low-growing and spreading annual weed in mowed lawns. Mouse-ear chickweed (Cerastium vulgatum), also from Europe, is a usually shorter, mat-forming, spreading perennial with many upright stems. It grows in lawns, pastures, and cultivated fields throughout temperate regions. Both species have inconspicuous but delicate white, star-shaped flowers.

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plant
 species of small-leaved weeds of the pink, or carnation, family (Caryophyllaceae). The common chickweed, or stitchwort (Stellaria media), is native to Europe but is widely naturalized. It usually grows to 45 cm (18 inches) but becomes a low-growing and spreading annual weed in mowed lawns. It is useful as a food for canaries.

      Mouse-ear chickweed (Cerastium vulgatum), which is also from Europe, is a mat-forming, spreading perennial that has many upright stems, but it is usually not so tall as common chickweed. It grows in lawns, pastures, and cultivated fields throughout temperate regions. The stems and leaves are hairy and somewhat sticky.

      Both common and mouse-ear chickweed have inconspicuous but delicate white, somewhat star-shaped flowers.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Chickweed — Chick weed ( w[=e]d ), n. (Bot.) The name of several caryophyllaceous weeds, especially {Stellaria media}, the seeds and flower buds of which are a favorite food of small birds. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • chickweed — late 14c., chekwede, from CHICK (Cf. chick) + WEED (Cf. weed). In O.E. it was cicene mete chicken food …   Etymology dictionary

  • chickweed — ► NOUN ▪ a small white flowered plant, often growing as a garden weed …   English terms dictionary

  • chickweed — [chik′wēd΄] n. any of several low growing plants (esp. genera Cerastium and Stellaria) of the pink family, often found as weeds in lawns and gardens …   English World dictionary

  • Chickweed — This article is about the common name of several plants. For the syndicated comic strip, see 9 Chickweed Lane. Chickweed, a common name, can refer to: Cerastium Mouse ear Chickweed Holosteum Jagged Chickweed Moenchia Upright Chickweed Paronychia… …   Wikipedia

  • chickweed — daržinė žliūgė statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Gvazdikinių šeimos daržovinis, maistinis, vaistinis augalas (Stellaria media), kilęs iš Eurazijos. Piktžolė. atitikmenys: lot. Stellaria media angl. chickweed; common chickweed vok. Vogelmiere; …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • chickweed — [[t]tʃɪ̱kwiːd[/t]] N UNCOUNT Chickweed is a plant with small leaves and white flowers which grows close to the ground …   English dictionary

  • chickweed — /ˈtʃɪkwid / (say chikweed) noun 1. any of various herbs of the genus Stellaria, especially S. media. 2. any of various allied plants, as Cerastium glomeratum, mouse ear chickweed …  

  • Chickweed wintergreen — Wintergreen Win ter*green , n. (Bot.) A plant which keeps its leaves green through the winter. [1913 Webster] Note: In England, the name wintergreen is applied to the species of {Pyrola} which in America are called {English wintergreen}, and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • chickweed wintergreen — noun : an American starflower (Trientalis americana) or its Eurasian relative (T. europaea) * * * a starflower, Trientalis borealis. * * * chickweed wintergreen see ↑wintergreen under ↑winter • • • Main Entry: ↑chick …   Useful english dictionary

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