Upright chickweed question

[tawnyman]

Hi
I've seen a couple of plants recently which seem to resemble upright chickweed. No photos at the moment I'm afraid, but they were about 6 to 8 inches tall. Just how rare is upright chickweed and does it grow to this size? I shall get some photos if I pop back to the location.
thanks
Julian

[treecreeper]

Here is the BSBI map:

BSBI Maps Scheme: Hectad Map

[KeenTeen17]

I don't think its actually the same genus as the other Chickweeds. I think its a naturalised plant right? Not many amateur botanists go into the chickweeds because they are so confusing The upright might be more common than the map thinks

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by tawnyman

Hi
I've seen a couple of plants recently which seem to resemble upright chickweed. No photos at the moment I'm afraid, but they were about 6 to 8 inches tall. Just how rare is upright chickweed and does it grow to this size? I shall get some photos if I pop back to the location.
thanks
Julian

The only plants of it I have ever seen have been much shorter than this. One of the most distinctive things about the plant are it very grey foliage

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

II think its a naturalised plant right?

No it is a native species, found in short sandy turf. It probably is overlooked because it flowers early in the year, but it is not a common species.

[KeenTeen17]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

The only plants of it I have ever seen have been much shorter than this. One of the most distinctive things about the plant are it very grey foliage





No it is a native species, found in short sandy turf. It probably is overlooked because it flowers early in the year, but it is not a common species.

Thanks for clearing that up. I was just curious because it has a different Genus to the other chickweeds and mouseears. Its probably something which occurs on the local dunes which are famous for the annuals in early spring.

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by tawnyman

I shall get some photos if I pop back to the location.

If you do go back, it would be worth checking the number of petals per flower. Upright Chickweed has 4 petals, while most similar species have five

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

Its probably something which occurs on the local dunes which are famous for the annuals in early spring.

Sounds the right sort of place

[KeenTeen17]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

If you do go back, it would be worth checking the number of petals per flower. Upright Chickweed has 4 petals, while most similar species have five



Sounds the right sort of place

Is it too late in the year now? Now the Sandworts are coming out just to confuse things

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

Is it too late in the year now? Now the Sandworts are coming out just to confuse things

Well the picture above was taken last year in late April rather further south than you, so you may be lucky

[tawnyman]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I shall make a point of visiting the spot again and examine it more closely.
Julian

[KeenTeen17]

Originally Posted by tawnyman

Thanks for the replies everyone. I shall make a point of visiting the spot again and examine it more closely.
Julian

I'll be checking everywhere I go from now on for this little blighter Its quite a unique plant.