Pale Chickweed - introduced (*Stellaria pallida)

Family: Caryophyllaceae (Chickweed & Carnation family).

Native of Europe.

Occurrence: Mostly a bushland plant, usually scrambling at the base of a tree, especially below Cherry Ballarts.

Identification: It looks like a Chickweed, but without petals.

• Pale Chickweed is a prostrate to scrambling plant
• its flowers do not have petals
• it has ovate leaves which are in pairs
• it has slender stems with a single row of hairs alternate down the stem.

Chickweed (Stellaria media) is a common and widespread weed. Unlike Pale Chickweed, it is not common in bushland.

Photos 1: Pale Chickweed.
2, 3, 4: Castlemaine. It is often found growing at the base of a tree. The rows of hairs on the stems altenate down the plant.