March 7, 1998: 23 years ago

Spring is springing as we speak
in the city and beyond.
 
This specimen of common chickweed (Stellaria media) was collected on the campus of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh in a “mostly shady area.”  Though small, if you look closely you are met with a charismatic tiny flower.  Common chickweed is incredibly common across the world, found in every continent (except perhaps Antarctica?).  Like many cosmopolitan lawn weeds, it is native to “Eurasia” and its exact native range is unclear.  But it is considered not native to North America.
 
Common chickweed can be found from an urban lawn to a forest in Pennsylvania.  The plants can form a mat along the ground.  They can be found just about year round when snow isn’t on the ground, and like dandelion, flowers throughout the year.
 
But the flowers now are also telling – spring is on the way.  For some plants, such as skunk cabbage and red maple, spring has already sprung.
 
This species is a good one to look out for during the upcoming City Nature Challenge!
 
Find this specimen and more here: https://midatlanticherbaria.org/portal/collections/list.php?db=all&catnum=CM540683&includeothercatnum=1

Blooming: April 24, 2020 in SW Pennsylvania.

Thinking about blooming: January 30, 2021.