Help with the ID of this plant

Mom has a little flower bed in a nook beside the house facing south. Things are starting to green up there already. This plant just sprung up last year according to her. I've never took notice of it anywhere else on the property. She says it grew continuous through the year. It a low ground cover. Has a strong smell like pea pods and a light taste of the same. Tonight I fed a small handful to my chickens and they went nuts over there first fresh green stuff of the year. I'd like to know more, any info would be appreciated!

Hi Kj, I'm guessing it's chickweed, Stellaria media.  I don't have it (yet) at my place, but I did a bit of quick reading and it checks with your pea flavor.  

Here's a close up of the flower from Wikipedia...does that seem to match?

Check out this description:  "The leaves of this tasy little herb are excellent in salads, soups, stews you name it!  It has a very high protein content of 15-20%. The leaves are also very high in Iron, and a good source of Calcium, Chromium, Cobalt, Molybdenum, Magnesium, Manganese, Silicon, Zinc, and Vitamin C." and "Tastes crisp and juicy like snowpea shoots!"

seed source

I absolutely think your right! I found another pic on Google that looks exactly like what we have. Thank you so much!

Super glad to help.  Congrats on having such a great plant!

Greg Martin wrote:Check out this description:  "The leaves of this tasy little herb are excellent in salads, soups, stews you name it!  It has a very high protein content of 15-20%. The leaves are also very high in Iron, and a good source of Calcium, Chromium, Cobalt, Molybdenum, Magnesium, Manganese, Silicon, Zinc, and Vitamin C." and "Tastes crisp and juicy like snowpea shoots!"

seed source

That explains why my goats all go nuts for that stuff.   It sounds like I need to be eatting the stuff too.  Maybe I wouldn't need to take my mineral supplements either.

Brian Maverick wrote:

Greg Martin wrote:Check out this description:  "The leaves of this tasy little herb are excellent in salads, soups, stews you name it!  It has a very high protein content of 15-20%. The leaves are also very high in Iron, and a good source of Calcium, Chromium, Cobalt, Molybdenum, Magnesium, Manganese, Silicon, Zinc, and Vitamin C." and "Tastes crisp and juicy like snowpea shoots!"

seed source

That explains why my goats all go nuts for that stuff.   It sounds like I need to be eatting the stuff too.  Maybe I wouldn't need to take my mineral supplements either.

From what I read it has many health benefits including aiding stomach, lung, and heart problems. I'm gonna be fighting the chickens for it all summer!