Chickweed

Stellaria media

Chickweed is a temperate, annual weed that can germinate at any time and grows up to 250 mm tall. Its small, white, star-shaped flowers can be observed for most of the year, but more commonly in winter through to spring. Its growth can be mat-like, therefore it can smother newly sown crops if not controlled. Chickweed is also a weed found in many lawns.

Note: Mouse-eared chickweed (Cerastium conglomeratum) is not covered here.

Description

Chickweed does not form a rosette, instead the leaves are in pairs on opposite sides of the stem. On one side of the stem, between the nodes is a line of hairs. Initially the growth of chickweed is quite erect before the stems become weak, often resulting in sprawling, mat-like growth. Chickweed flowers have five deeply notched petals that are shorter than the sepals.

Control

In cropping situations, the best way to manage chickweed is to prevent seed set as it is a heavy seeder and the seed can remain viable for a number of years. Grazing in some pasture situations can also be used to manage chickweed.

In horticultural crops, both Betanal® Flow and Tramat® are registered for the control of chickweed in beet crops and Tramat is also registered for control of chickweed in ryegrass pasture and seed crops. Sencor® is registered for the control of chickweed in asparagus, tomatoes and potatoes.

In broadacre crops, Sencor also has registrations in barley, chickpeas, faba beans, lentils, peas, vetch and white lupins. Roundup® Ultra® MAX, Roundup Ready® Herbicide with Plantshield® and Roundup Ready PL are registered for the control of chickweed in a range of situations.

Brodal® Options is registered for the suppression of up to four-leaf chickweed in clover-based pasture, field peas, lentils and lupins.