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Cerastium arvense - L.

Common Name Field Mouse-Ear Chickweed, Field chickweed
Family Caryophyllaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry banks and waysides, and in grassland, especially on calcareous or slightly acid sandy soils, throughout Britain but mainly in the east[257].
Range Most of Europe, including Britain, south and east to N. Africa and temperate Asia..
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Cerastium arvense Field Mouse-Ear Chickweed, Field chickweed


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cerastium_arvense_ENBLA02.JPG
Cerastium arvense Field Mouse-Ear Chickweed, Field chickweed
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Kenraiz

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Cerastium arvense is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from April to August, and the seeds ripen from May to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies and small bees. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Meadow; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

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.


The plant is astringent[257]. A decoction of the plant has been used in the treatment of injuries and miscarriage[257]. A decoction is said to stop uterine bleeding and prevents the child from passing through the uterus[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

See the plants native habitat for ideas on its cultivation needs.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant 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. The prostate shoots root freely as they spread[200], making division very simple[K].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia), Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia (Eastern Siberia), Kazakhstan (southeast), Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Russian Federation-Far East (Far East), China (Gansu Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Henan Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Jilin Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Ningxia Huizi Zizhiqu, Qinghai Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu, Yunnan Sheng), Korea, Japan (Hokkaidô, Honshu) NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Northwest Territories, Yukon, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Québec, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan), United States (Alaska, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska (west), North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah) EUROPE: United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine (n. & w.), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France AFRICA: Morocco

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.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Cerastium fontanumChickweed, Common mouse-ear chickweed, Big chickweedAnnual/Perennial0.3 5-10  LMHSM200
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.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

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