SafePlants

Field Chickweed (Cerastium arvense)

Considerations for Pets

• This plant forms mats with erect flowering stems.
• The leaves are lance-shaped with pointed tips.
• The plant has sticky pubescence.

Considerations for Children

• This plant forms mats with erect flowering stems.
• The leaves are lance-shaped with pointed tips.
• The plant has sticky pubescence.

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

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

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

Distribution and Habitat

• Field chickweed is widespread, occurring in grassy or rocky habitats throughout Europe and in parts of North and South America.
• It is introduced from western Europe and is present in northeastern North America.
• It is a common pasture weed throughout the United States, except for the southern third of the country.
• It inhabits open areas and can be found in rocky or sandy places, especially in limy soil.
• It can grow up to 3400 meters in altitude.

Morphological Characteristics

• Field chickweed is a perennial herb with trailing or decumbent stems, branched above, reaching 5-30 cm in height.
• It forms loose mats.
• Leaves are lanceolate to oblong, 1-3 cm long, sometimes with fascicled leaves below.
• Leaves linear to widely lance-shaped, 1/3 – 1/2 in. long, with pointed tips.
• Flowers are white, typically in an open, branched cluster at the stem tip.
• Each flower has 5 deeply notched petals, giving the appearance of 10 petals.

Growing Conditions

• Prefers full sun.
• Reaches a height of 6-12 inches.
• Requires low watering and is drought-tolerant.