Weeds of Australia - Fact Sheet

Top Scientific Name Synonyms Family Common Names Origin Naturalised Distribution Notes

Scientific Name

Stellaria media (L.) Vill.

Synonyms

Alsine media L.
Stellaria media (L.) Cirillo
Stellaria media (L.) Vill. subsp. media

Family

Caryophyllaceae

Common Names

bindweed, chick weed, chickweed, common chickweed, satin flower, satin-flower, starweed, starwort, stitchwort, tongue grass, white bird's eye, winter weed

Origin

The native range of this species is obscure, but it probably originated in Europe and western Asia (i.e. Eurasia).

Naturalised Distribution

Widely naturalised in Australia, particularly in the wetter southern parts of the country. It is widespread in Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and southern and south-western Western Australia. Also naturalised in the southern parts of the Northern Territory and on several offshore islands (i.e. Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island and Macquarie Island).

Widely naturalised overseas in North America (i.e. Alaska, Canada, the USA and Mexico), South America (i.e. Chile and Colombia), eastern Asia (i.e. Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Japan and South Korea), New Zealand and on several Pacific islands (e.g. the Galápagos Islands, Hawaii and New Caledonia).

Notes

Chickweed (Stellaria media) is regarded as an environmental weed in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.