Origin:
Introduced from Europe, and now widely distributed throughout the United States and Canada.
Biology:
An annual that reproduces from seed. Weak stems grow in a creeping, vine-like manner and will root at the nodes. Plants need cool habitat, and can survive through the summer in moist, shaded locations, even behaving somewhat as a perennial.
Identification:
Mature plants have numerous weak stems, and stems have a line of hairs on one side. Similar to several other species of chickweeds, but other kinds have much hairier leaves. Plants may climb into other foliage, but alone will form low mats over the ground. Leaves are spade-shaped and up to 1.5 inches long, the upper leaves without petioles and the lower leaves on petioles up to ¾ inch long. Leaves are opposite on the stems. Flowers are small but conspicuous, with 5 white petals that are thin and well separated. The green sepals that surround them are longer than the petals.
Characteristicts Important to Control:
Annual weeds that prefer cool, damp habitats. Hand removal is possible, but remaining bits of stems in contact with the soil may root at the nodes and form new plants.
