Chickweed

Stellaria media

Illustration: Chickweed (Stellaria media) star flowers

Identification: Low sprawling mat; small opposite oval leaves; tiny white star-like flowers with 10 apparent petals (actually 5, deeply split); a single line of hairs up one side of the stem.

Dangerous look-alikes: Scarlet pimpernel (Anagallis) — similar mat, but orange-red flowers and NO hair-line on stem; mildly toxic. Confirm: white star flowers + single hair-line on stem.

Edible parts: Leaves, stems, flowers — raw.

Season and habitat: Cool seasons (spring/fall). Lawns, gardens, shady beds.

Preparation: Delicate salad green — mild, fresh, minerally. One of the best raw trail nibbles; wilts in seconds in a pan.