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field chickweed

Scientific Name: Cerastium arvense

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Field Chickweed (Cerastium arvense)

Cerastium arvense, commonly known as field chickweed or field mouse-ear, is a flowering plant belonging to the pink family.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is commonly found in pastures and other open areas.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Cerastium arvense L.
  • Common Names: Field Chickweed, Field Mouse-Ear, Field Mouse-Ear Chickweed, Starry Grasswort, Meadow Chickweed, Prairie Chickweed
  • Family: Caryophyllaceae (Pink or Carnation family)
  • Synonyms: Cerastium arvense ssp. strictum

Distribution and Habitat

  • Field chickweed is widespread, occurring throughout Europe and in parts of North and South America.
  • It is introduced from western Europe and is present in northeastern North America.
  • It thrives in rocky or sandy places, especially in limy soil, dry banks, open woodlands, grassy or rocky habitats.
  • This plant can also be found up to 3400 m altitude.
  • Common pasture weed throughout the United States, except for the southern third of the country.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Field chickweed is a perennial herb with stems that are trailing or decumbent, branched above, and range from 5-30 cm in length.
  • It forms loose mats.
  • Leaves are lanceolate to oblong, 1-3 cm long, with fascicled leaves below. Leaves are linear to widely lance-shaped, 1/3 to 1/2 inch long, with pointed tips. More narrow and darker than mouse-ear chickweed.
  • It has white flowers in an open, branched flower cluster at the stem tip.
  • The flowers typically have 3-6 petals (rarely single).
  • Each white flower has 5 deeply notched petals, making it appear as if there are 10 petals.
  • Plant height is typically 6-12 inches.
  • Key Characteristics include: Small perennial forb (10-40 cm) of open woodlands plant with sticky pubescence and opposite lanceolate blades 4-8 mm wide
  • Plant does not flower first year.

Quirky Facts

  • The deeply notched petals of the field chickweed flower make it appear to have twice the number of petals it actually possesses.