Common Australian Garden Weeds

Cerastium glomeratum

Scientific name: Cerastium glomeratum Thuill.


Habit of mouse-eared chickweed (Cerastium glomeratum) showing the oppositely arranged and sessile upper leaves.


Close-up of the small white flowers of mouse-eared chickweed that have five petals with divided tips.


Close-up of the fruit of this species with ten small teeth at the tip of the capsule.


The stems, leaves and fruit of this species are all covered in soft hairs.


Seedling of mouse-eared chickweed showing hairy leaves.

Synonym: Cerastium viscosum auct. non L.

Common name: Mouse-eared chickweed

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Origin:

Native of Europe.

Habit:

Annual herb with soft stems growing to a height of approximately 15 cm.

Habitat:

Found largely in costal areas, in lawns and gardens and other moist and/or shady areas.

General description:

Stems and leaves

Stems and leaves are covered in simple, glandular hairs and so are sticky to touch. Stems are erect or ascending. Leaves are oppositely arranged with leaf stalks (petioles) to 1.2 cm on the larger basal leaves. Upper leaves are smaller and without stalks (sessile). Leaves range from 0.5-3 × 0.3-1.5 cm in size. Leaves are generally oval (elliptic) in shape with a rounded apex and a small point at the tip.

Flowers and fruit

The flowers have four or five white petals (4-5 mm long) with divided tips. Outside the petals, and in between them are, are five hairy sepals (also up to 4-5 mm long). Flowers are grouped into short branched inflorescences at the ends of the stems. Flowering occurs from winter through to spring. Fruits are cylindrical capsules (7-9 mm long), with 10 small teeth, which contain numerous seeds.

Distinguishing characteristics:

Soft stemmed erect or ascending herb with hairy leaves and stems, small white flowers and papery seed capsules. Can be confused with chickweed (Stellaria media), a closely related species. However, chickweed (Stellaria media) leaves are hairless and its upper leaves sometimes have distinct leaf stalks (petioles).

Noxious status:

Not noxious.

Sources:

Kleinschmidt, H.E., Holland, A. and Simpson, P. (1996). Suburban Weeds. 3rd Edition. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Stanley, T.E. and Ross, E.M. (1983-1989). Flora of South-eastern Queensland. Volume 1. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.