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Chickweed (Stellaria media) is a common edible green that was brought here from Europe.
Chickweed can be identified by its teardrop-shaped leaves that grow opposite each other. It has a single line of hairs growing along its stem and white flowers with five petals (appears to be 10 petals due to its deep clefts).
Chickweed must be differentiated from its poisonous look-a-like, scarlet pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis). Scarlet pimpernel differs from chickweed by having a square stem which lacks the line of hairs and having red flowers rather than white ones.
All above ground parts of chickweed are edible. The top 2 inches of the stem with its leaves and flowers are the tastiest. Chickweed can be eaten raw in a salad or turned into a medicinal tea to aide in weight loss.
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Written by Amy Demers, founder of the Connecticut Foraging Club. To learn more about foraging in Connecticut, check out our upcoming classes.
