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
- LEAFLET NUMBER
- one
- LEAF MARGIN
- smooth
Figure 9
- smooth
- LEAF HAIRS
- 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
- white
Figure 1. Mouseear chickweed growth habit.
Figure 2. Mouseear chickweed growth habit.
Figure 3. Mouseear chickweed growth habit.
Figure 4. Mouseear chickweed growth habit.
Figure 5. Mouseear chickweed growth habit.
Figure 6. Mouseear chickweed growth habit.
Figure 7. Mouseear chickweed growth habit.
Figure 8. Mouseear chickweed growth habit.
Figure 9. Mouseear chickweed leaf margin.
Figure 10. Mouseear chickweed leaf hairs.
Figure 11. Mouseear chickweed leaf hairs.
Figure 12. Mouseear chickweed leaf hairs.
Figure 13. Mouseear chickweed leaf hairs.
Figure 14. Mouseear chickweed leaf hairs.
Figure 15. Mouseear chickweed flower color.
Publication date: Nov. 20, 2017
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