Mouseear Chickweed

-- Written By Fred Yelverton (Updated: October 10, 2022)

Description

Mouseear chickweed (Cerastium) acts as a winter annual in eastern North Carolina and as a perennial in the western part of the state, especially at higher elevations. It has a vigorous prostrate growth habit. Hairy stems may creep along the ground and take root at nodes touching the soil. The small, white flowers have five slightly notched petals. Mouseear chickweed is similar in growth habit (spreading) and appearance to common chickweed, but mouseear chickweed leaves are dark green or gray-green, and are covered with soft hairs.

Cultural Control

Chickweed will survive under close mowing, forming dense patches which crowd out the desirable turfgrass. This weed quickly invades thin turf areas especially where there is good soil moisture. Shade and frequent watering encourage chickweed growth.

Species Data

GROWTH SEASON / LIFE CYCLE
- winter annual or biennial or perennial weed
GROWTH HABIT
- prostrate, spreading
  Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 8
LEAFLET NUMBER
- one
LEAF MARGIN
- smooth
  Figure 9
LEAF HAIRS
- very dense, soft hairs on upper surface, hairs on veins on bottom surface
  Figure 10, Figure 11, Figure 12, Figure 13, Figure 14
LEAF / LEAFLET SHAPE
- oval to elliptical without petiole
LEAF WIDTH
- ¹⁄₂ - 1 inch
LEAF VENATION
- pinnate
LEAF ARRANGEMENT
- opposite
ROOT TYPE
- fibrous
FLOWER COLOR
- white
  Figure 15

Figure 1. Mouseear chickweed growth habit.

Figure 9. Mouseear chickweed leaf margin.

Figure 10. Mouseear chickweed leaf hairs.

Figure 15. Mouseear chickweed flower color.

This Extension publication can also be viewed at: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/mouseear-chickweed