Pronounced (approximate): my-oh-SOH-ton ah-KWA-tih-kum
Five deeply split white petals appear to make ten.
Giant Chickweed (Myosoton aquaticum): flowers and plant details. Tap the photo to open the gallery.
Family Caryophyllaceae
Life cycle Sprawling perennial
Blooms Summer
Height 1–3 feet
Habitat Moist disturbed ground, streambanks, and woodland margins
Common names: Giant Chickweed · Water Chickweed
Other scientific names used: Stellaria aquatica
Bloom timing and height vary with location. See the regional range below.
Explore reported observations. Sightings are not a complete range map.
Moist disturbed ground, streambanks, and woodland margins. Flowering season: summer.
Common Chickweed has three styles. Kew accepts the name Stellaria aquatica for Giant Chickweed; Myosoton aquaticum remains common in regional guides.
Five deeply split white petals appear to make ten.
Broad opposite leaves are egg-shaped to heart-shaped.
The flower usually has five styles.
Moist disturbed ground, streambanks, and woodland margins.
6 field photographs. Select a photograph to enlarge it; use Load more photos to see the rest.
Native to Eurasia and introduced in parts of North America.
Documented U.S. state records
CT, DE, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI
Documented state occurrences; native and introduced records may both be included. This is not a county-level map.
Observation maps show submitted records, not every place the plant occurs. Follow local access rules when visiting a site.
Practice recognizing Giant Chickweed in the flower quiz, or compare it with other plants in the guide.
Field photographs: Where’s Wildlife.