Common Name: Chickweed.
Chickweed is an annual of Eurasian origin, often found in disturbed shola forest edges and road-sides in Nilgiris. The plant is mostly seen to grow prostrate; however the flowers are found mostly erect. It spreads fast in moist areas and prefers the cool climate of the hills. The stem is gree in color. The leafing nodes are apart from each other by as much as 3.5 cm. The simple leaves are arranged in an opposite manner. The leaf stalk and leaf measure around 2 mm and 1.5 cm respectively. The leaf shape is oval-round; the leaf has a slightly notched tip. The inflorescence is axillary, flowers are white in color. The calyx is green and longer than the petals. Although the the plant has only five petals they appear as 10 numbers as the petals are bifid. The fruit is in the form of a capsule.
