It is a large perennial broadleaf weed that grows in a rosette fashion. Leaves are long and much more slender than those of broadleaf plantain. Individual leaves taper to a point and have prominent longitudinal veins and smooth, wavy margins. Seed stalks are long and terminate in small compact seedheads. Common chickweed is most often classified as a winter annual, but it can grow and flower at any time during the growing season.
Common chickweed spreads in turf via branched, creeping, above-ground stems that root at the nodes.
Flowers are small and white, and have five petals. Corn speedwell is a low-growing winter annual weed. Upper leaves are small and taper to a point, whereas lower leaves are rounded and lobed. Stems have an upright growth habit and do not spread more than an inch or two from the crown. Plants are covered with sparse, fine hairs.