Stellaria neglecta - Greater Chickweed

Family:	Caryophyllaceae
Habit:	Annual
Height:	0.12
Synonyms:	S. media neglecta. (Weihe.)Murr.
Range:	Most of Europe, including Britain.

Stellaria neglecta (Greater Chickweed) is a Annual which grows to a height of 0.12m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Greater Chickweed will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Greater Chickweed prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Greater Chickweed can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Hedgerows, wood margins, streamsides and shady places[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Will grow in a hedge row

Cultivation Details

Prefers a moist soil.

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Young leaves - raw or cooked[105]. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails[177].

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ.

Known Hazards

Although no mention has been seen for this species, the leaves of some members of this genus contain saponins. Although toxic, these substances are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm. They are also broken down by thorough cooking. Saponins are found in many plants, including several that are often used for food, such as certain beans. It is advisable not to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

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