Flower ID: IMG_7632.JPG-07-12-2021 Flower name (scientific): Stellaria aquatica (Linnaeus) Scopoli PY: 1771. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) stell-AR-ee-uh a-KWA-tee-kuh Flower name (common): Giant Chickweed Family name (common): Pink Family name (scientific): Caryophyllaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Latin stella for star, referring to the star-like shape of the flower. Specific epithet: Growing in or near water. Common name origin: Giant refers to the size of the plant, typically being larger than the other chickweed plants and having larger flowers. Chickweed is a compounding of chick + weed, and refers to the plants as being eaten by chickens and other birds. Flower description: Size: 0.2 to 0.5 inches (5 to 13 mm) Petal count: 5 Color: white Other: flower arrangement, Cluster-cyme Plant description: Size: 6 to 24 inches (15 to 61 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is opposite, type is simple Size: Leaves up to 6 to 8 cm long and about 2.5 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, cordate-ovate (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Introduced Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): May to October Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Banks of rivers and streams, marshes, disturbed areas, sun or semi-shade, moist to wet. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Stellaria aquatica has a resemblance to some Stellaria species, in particular, Stellaria pubera (Star Chickweed), but this species has not been recorded from Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan, but has been observed in more south-eastern states. This latter species has 3 styles, whereas Stellaria aquatica has 5 styles. The width of the flowers of Stellaria aquatica can help ditinguish this plant from some of the other Stellaria species, which typically have smaller flower widths. Ethnobotany: Latitude: 44.800038 Longitude: -91.508708 Altitude: 270.20 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Sheboygan, Taylor, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (CT, DC, DE, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (BC, ON, QC) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: Cerastium aquaticum Linnaeus in Sp. Pl.: 439 (1753). Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na Wetland Status (NC): Not listed Wetland Status (MW): Not listed