Plant Profile: Cerastium holosteoides

Mouseear chickweed belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family. This plant is characterized as a cool-season annual or a short-lived perennial, featuring distinctly hairy stems and leaves. The leaves are dark green, arranged oppositely, and have a blunt tip. Its flowers resemble those of common chickweed, displaying five split white petals. Mouseear chickweed tends to form dense mats and can climb into the canopies of crops. It is known for its prolific seed production, with seedlings primarily emerging from fall to spring, although in cooler, moist regions, they may continue to sprout throughout the summer. Most preemergence herbicides labeled for use are effective in managing this weed.

This species is native to temperate and subarctic regions of Eurasia, extending to New Guinea.

Season: classified as a winter annual weed.