Scouting for weeds: Mouseear chickweed

Steve Gower, Michigan State University Extension, Diagnostic Services - May 25, 2007

Mouseear chickweed: Cerastium fontanum ssp. vulgare (Hartman) Greuter & Burdet

Life cycle: Patch-forming perennial.

Leaves: Opposite, dark green, oval to spatula-shaped leaves with pointed tips and smooth margins are densely hairy and stalkless.

Stems: Prostrate, spreading stems are capable of rooting at the nodes to form dense patches. Stems are slender and very finely hairy with swollen nodes.

Flowers and fruit: Small, white flowers have five petals. Each petal is notched deeply to resemble a pair of petals. Green, hairy sepals surround petals.Fruit are slightly curved, cylinder-shaped capsules that contain many tiny, brown seeds.

Reproduction: Seeds and creeping stems.

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