SafePlants

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

• Forms loose mats, which might be inviting to pets.
• Has stems that can trail or lean, which could be easily accessible to pets.
• Grows in rocky or sandy places, especially in limy soil.

Considerations for Children

• Forms loose mats, which might be inviting to children.
• Has stems that can trail or lean, which could be easily accessible to children.
• Grows in rocky or sandy places, especially in limy soil.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

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

Distribution and Habitat

• Field chickweed is widespread.
• 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.
• Grows in grassy or rocky habitats throughout Europe and in parts of North and South America.
• Found in rocky or sandy places, especially in limy soil.
• Inhabits open areas.
• Can be found at high elevations. Grows up to 3400 m altitude.

Morphological Characteristics

• Perennial herb
• Perennial forming loose mats
• Stems trailing or decumbent, branched above, 5–30 cm in height (or 10-40 cm)
• Leaves lanceolate to oblong, 1–3 cm long with fascicled leaves below. Leaves linear to widely lance-shaped, 1/3–1 1/2 in. long, with pointed tips.
• White flowers in an open, branched flower cluster at stem tip.
• The 3-6 flowers (rarely single) are attached.
• Flowers: Open cluster of -inch white flowers with 5 deeply notched petals, making it seem like it has 10 petals.

Quirky Facts

• Field chickweed is morphologically very close to a native species in America.
• The plant does not flower in its first year.
• The flowers have deeply notched petals, making it appear as though they have 10 petals when they only have five.

Additional Information

• It is drought-tolerant but long-blooming with consistent watering.
• Can be found in the Inventory of Canadian Agricultural Weeds (2003).