common mouse-ear chickweed
Family
CaryophyllaceaeScientific Name
Cerastium fontanumOther Common Names:
mouse-ear chickweed
mouseear chickweed
cerastium fontanum
big chickweed
Habit
Erect to spreading/mat-forming and can grow up to 0.5 m tall.
Leaves
Leaves are opposite, 1-2 cm long, 3-12 mm wide, without a petiole, and hairy on the upper surface and veins underneath the leaf.
Identifying Characteristics
Has a fibrous root system with opposite leaves that are hairy on the upper surface and on the veins underneath. Has white flowers that appear in clusters with 5 lobed petals and hairy sepals. Stems are from 5 cm to 50 cm long/tall.
Flower Seed Head
Usually appear in clusters of 3 at the end of the stem. Have 5 white petals per flower that are deeply lobed and appear as almost 10 petals and hairy sepals.
Seed Fruit
The capsule is 7-11 mm long and 2-3 mm wide and cylindrical to slightly curved.
Where Found
Native of Euriasia but found throughout the U.S. expect in parts of Texas to California.
Growth Habit
Varies:
upright and nonwoody,
prostrate and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
Varies:
pencil,
dime
Dominant Flower Color
white
Flower Symmetry
radial symmetery
Leaf Hairs
has hairs
Leaf Shape
Varies:
round,
oval
Leaf Arrangement
opposite
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Structure
simple
Leaf Stalk
none
Stem Hairs
has hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
fibrous
Life Cycle
perennial
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Herb