Chickweed

Sweet chickweed, one of our harbingers of Spring.

I know, I know it feels early to speak of a harbinger of Spring when there is still snow on the ground. But, listen, the birds sing more frequently. Feel the air, different, no? - springier. And to the delight of pancake lovers everywhere, sap is flowing in the trees. Seriously, you guys, Spring is coming.

When the snow melts, one of the first spots of green offered to us by the great Mother, is the tiny yet nourishing Chickweed. Chickweed is a winter annual, preferring the cool temperatures of Spring and Fall to germinate. Chickweed can mature and set seed in just over a month which is why, when the conditions are favorable, we can be blessed with flowers in February. This fast growth also allows Chickweed to have up to five generations in one growing season!

When Chickweed grows it stays low to the ground; spreading out over lawns, sidewalk pavers, brick paths, vacant lots, public parks, and raised beds. It can root down at the nodes, meaning when a stem touches the soil, root cells develop and enter the soil, strengthening the plant by providing extra nutrients and stability. The small, semi-oval leaves are opposite each other on the stem, are bright green, and when growing in favorable conditions seem plush and juicy. When the flowers appear they are tiny white stars speckled across the stems. Chickweed’s botanical Latin name is Stellaria media. Stellaria comes from the Latin word for star, named for the celestial body the flowers mimic.

A member of the Pink family, we may be more familiar with Chickweed’s cousin Carnation. I definitely met Carnation first, way back in Middle School. I can still remember the feeling of my heart beating in my chest when the Carnations were passed around home room on Valentine’s day, as I hoped and prayed for a Carnation from my latest crush.

Chickweed traveled to North America from Eurasia by unknown means. It is not known to have been purposefully brought by European settlers, though it could have been. It is a powerful tissue healer, much loved in its native lands, that can deliver its nutrients raw or juiced for internal relief, or used as a poultice for external relief.

Chickweed is a sight for sore eyes in early Spring and a joyful reminder of the abundance of this world!