About Stellaria pubera Michx.
Star chickweed (Stellaria pubera Michx.) is an early spring bloomer that can begin flowering as early as late March. It grows between 6 inches (15 cm) and 12 inches (30 cm) in height. Its leaves are oval-shaped, arranged oppositely on the stem, and usually attach directly to the stem without stalks. The stem itself is weak and sometimes reclines, and has rows of small soft hairs that switch sides at each node. Close inspection of the flower shows that what looks like ten petals is actually five petals, each split very deeply. This split gives the entire blossom a star-like appearance: its white, pointed petal segments surround an off-white center, and the stamens are tipped with dark anthers. Star chickweed is very similar in appearance to Stellaria corei, and the two species can be easily confused. Stellaria pubera is widespread and common. Its natural habitat is bottomland forests and mesic forests, and it often grows on rocky slopes within these areas. Its main range extends from Pennsylvania south to Georgia, and west to Indiana and Alabama. Scattered populations also occur in New York, New England, Illinois, Nebraska, Mississippi and Louisiana.
