SafePlants

Cerastium arvense: Field Chickweed

Cerastium arvense, belonging to the pink family (Caryophyllaceae), is commonly known as field chickweed or field mouse-ear. It's also referred to as meadow chickweed and starry grasswort.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Cerastium arvense L.
• Family: Caryophyllaceae (Pink or Carnation family)
• Synonyms: Cerastium arvense ssp. strictum

Distribution and Habitat

This species is widespread and found in various habitats:

• Native to western Europe.
• Present in northeastern North America, as well as other parts of the United States (excluding the southern third).
• Found in grassy or rocky habitats throughout Europe and parts of North and South America.
• Grows in rocky or sandy places, especially in limy soil.
• Inhabits open woodlands.
• Can be found up to 3400 m altitude.

Morphological Characteristics

• Perennial herb that forms loose mats.
• Stems are trailing or decumbent, branched above, and range from 5 to 30 cm in length (some sources say 10-40cm).
• Leaves are lanceolate to oblong, 1-3 cm long, with fascicled leaves below. Some sources say linear to widely lance-shaped, 1/3 - 1/2 in. long with pointed tips.
• White flowers are arranged in an open, branched cluster at the stem tip.
• Each flower has 5 deeply notched petals, making it appear as though there are 10 petals.

Ecological Role

• Can be a common pasture weed.

Quirky Facts

• Field chickweed can be confused with mouse-ear chickweed (Cerastium vulgatum), but its leaves are more narrow and darker.
• It does not flower in its first year.
• The flowers look like they have 10 petals when they actually have only five because each petal is deeply split.

Further Information

• Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)
• Wikimedia Commons
• CalPhotos