Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Caryophyllales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Caryophyllaceae
Genus
Stellaria L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Stellaria media (L.) Vill., Hist. Pl. Dauphiné 3(1), 415 (1788 [1789])
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Stellaria media (L.) Cirillo, Essent. Pl. Char. Comment. 36 (1784) nom. inval.
  • ≡ Alsine media L.
Vernacular Name(s):
chickweed; Kohukohu
 Description

Annual. Stems weak, ascending, terete, (10)–15–40–(60) cm long, with 1 line of hairs. Lvs green, not connate, ovate to broadly lanceolate, acute to apiculate, narrowing abruptly at base, ciliate on proximal margins and midrib above, 5–40–(50) × 5–15–(25) mm; petiole ciliate, c. = lamina in lower lvs, almost 0 in upper lvs; marginal vein distinct. Infl. terminal, cymose, usually lax, (1)–3–15–(50)-flowered. Bracts leaflike. Pedicels slender, patent, (5)–10–40 mm long, with 1 line of hairs. Sepals narrow-lanceolate, obtuse to subacute, not veined, (3)–4–6 mm long, hairy outside; margins scarious. Petals slightly < to slightly > sepals. Stamens (0)–3–5–(10). Capsule narrow-ovoid, = or slightly > calyx. Seeds dull brown, 0.9–1.2 mm long; tubercles triangular, sharp.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Phenology

Flowering: (Jul.)–Sep.– Feb.–(Jun.); Fruiting: (Jul.)–Sep.– Feb.–(Jun.)

 Bibliography
Cirillo, D.M.L. 1784: Essentialibus Nonnullarum Plantarum Characteribus Commentarius.
Connor, H.E. 1977: The Poisonous Plants in New Zealand. Edition 2. Government Printer, Wellington.
Villars, D. 1789: Histoire des Plantes de Dauphiné. Vol. 3(1).