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Cerastium fontanum - Baumg.

Common Name Chickweed, Common mouse-ear chickweed, Big chickweed
Family Caryophyllaceae
USDA hardiness 5-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Moist shaded situations, 1700 - 2800 metres in Srinagar[145]. A cosmopolitan weed in China, where it grows at elevations up to 4300 metres[266].
Range E. Asia - Himalayas.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade
Cerastium fontanum Chickweed, Common mouse-ear chickweed, Big chickweed


Cerastium fontanum Chickweed, Common mouse-ear chickweed, Big chickweed

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Cerastium fontanum is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from April to June, and the seeds ripen from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked[177]. Leaves and young stems - cooked[105].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The subspecies C. fontanum grandiflorum is an annual, though subspecies C. fontanum vulgare is a short-lived perennial[266]. It is likely to require a moist soil in light shade.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Fahrenheit:

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Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Division in spring might be possible.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Common mouse-ear chickweed, Mouse-ear chickweed, Common mouse-ear, or Starweed, Xi quan juan er.

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Native to Europe but introduced elsewhere including Asia, Australia, China, Himalayas, Japan, Korea, Macquarie Island, Nepal, Pakistan, Taiwan, Tasmania, USA.

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

This plant can be weedy or invasive.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Cerastium arvenseField Mouse-Ear Chickweed, Field chickweedPerennial0.2 0-0  LMHNDM01 
Cerastium furcatum Perennial0.5 -  LMHNM20 
Cerastium holosteoidesCommon Mouse-Ear ChickweedAnnual/Perennial0.3 -  LMHNM20 
Cerastium semidecandrumLittle Mouse-Ear Chickweed, Fivestamen chickweedAnnual0.2 0-0  LMHNM20 
Cerastium viscosumsticky chickweedAnnual0.3 -  LMHNM21 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Baumg.

Botanical References

58266

Links / References

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Subject : Cerastium fontanum  
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