Mouseear Chickweed

Cerastium vulgatum

Weed Description
A spreading, mat-forming perennial with prominently hairy prostrate stems and leaves, resembling common chickweed. Found throughout the United States except extreme portions from Texas to California.

Seedlings
Cotyledons rounded to ovate, green, 2-7 mm long, 0.5-2 mm wide, bearing a few hairs at base of stalk.

Leaves
Opposite, dull-green, 1-2 cm long, 3-12 mm wide, oval to elliptic, lacking a petiole (sessile), with prominent hairs on upper surface and the veins beneath.

Stems
Slender, 1.5 to 5 cm long, with 2 rows of dense hairs, and root at the nodes when in contact with the soil.

Flowers
Usually in clusters of three at the end of stems. Flowers consist of 5 white petals that are deeply lobed, giving the appearance of 10 petals. Flowers are produced from May through October.

Fruit
Capsule that is cylindrical to slightly curved, membranous, 7-11 mm long, 2-3 mm wide, producing many seeds.

Roots
Fibrous and shallow.

Identifying Characteristics
Perennial growth habit with curved seed capsule. Very similar to Common Chickweed (Stellaria media), however, mouseear chickweed is densely pubescent and roots at the stem nodes.

Trouble identifying a weed?

For additional assistance identifying weeds, contact Dr. Kevin Braldly, State Extension Weed Scientist (bradleyke@missouri.edu).

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Mouseear Chickweed

Cerastium vulgatum

Trouble identifying a weed?