European chickweed (Cerastium pumilum, Fl. Londin. 4: t. 30 (1794))

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Author: Curtis

Bibliography: Fl. Londin. 4: t. 30 (1794)

Year: 1794

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cerastium

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Europe to C. Asia, N. Africa

Description

The European chickweed, scientifically known as Cerastium pumilum, is a captivating and hardy species belonging to the Caryophyllaceae family. Originally described by Curtis in 1794 in “Fl. Londin. 4: t. 30”, this petite yet robust plant is noted for its widespread adaptability and presence across a variety of landscapes.

In its natural habitat, European chickweed flourishes in diverse regions ranging from Europe to Central Asia and North Africa. The plant is well-suited to a range of climatic conditions thanks to its resilient nature. Renowned for its delicate appearance, Cerastium pumilum typically features slender, branching stems covered with fine hairs, adding to its charming, almost ethereal look. The leaves are small, oval-shaped, and often display a soft, grey-green hue that complements the plant’s understated aesthetic.

One of the prominent features of European chickweed is its clusters of tiny, star-like white flowers. These blossoms often grow in dense, leafy clusters, adding a splash of brightness to the greenery. Each flower is characterized by five deeply notched petals, making it instantly recognizable to botany enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

Cerastium pumilum typically thrives in well-drained soils and is frequently found in a variety of settings, such as grasslands, open woods, and rocky areas. It plays a significant role in the ecosystem by providing habitat and food for various insects and other wildlife.

Despite its fragile appearance, European chickweed is a hardy and enduring plant that continues to expand its reach across its native territories. Its ability to adapt and flourish in varying conditions speaks to its evolutionary success and ecological importance.

Common Names

Deu: dunkles hornkraut, niedriges hornkraut
Eng: european chickweed, dwarf mouse-ear, dwarf mouse-ear chickweed, curtis’ mouse-ear chickweed, curtis’s mouse-ear, european mouse-ear chickweed, dwarf chickweed, small chickweed, sticky mouse-ear chickweed
Dan: liden hønsetarm
Fra: céraiste nain
Nld: steenhoornbloem
Swe: alvararv, kalkarv
Nob: klisterarve
Nno: klisterarve
Cym: clust llygoden bitw, clust-y-llygoden bitw
En: European chickweed, Dwarf Mouse-ear, Dwarf mouse-ear chickweed, Curtis’ mouse-ear chickweed, Curtis’s Mouse-Ear, European mouse-ear chickweed, Dwarf chickweed, Small chickweed, Sticky mouse-ear chickweed
Ca: Cerasti menut
Da: Liden hønsetarm
Nl: Steenhoornbloem
Fr: Céraiste nain
De: Dunkles Hornkraut, Niedriges Hornkraut
It: Peverina piccola
Nb: Klisterarve
Nn: Klisterarve
Sv: Alvararv, Kalkarv
Cy: Clust Llygoden Bitw, Clust-y-Llygoden Bitw

Synonyms

• Cerastium glutinosum f. pumilum ((Curtis) Bolzon)
• Cerastium glutinosum var. alpestre (Willk.)
• Cerastium glutinosum var. gracillimum (Willk.)
• Cerastium varians subsp. pumilum ((Curtis) Bonnier & Layens)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Norway (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Feb 20, 2022 by Pozzan Dario (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 21, 2021 by Jaime Ghuetu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2022 by Benito Soto Fernando (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2019 by Bernard Sudan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2022 by Benito Soto Fernando (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2022 by Flóra Hajdú (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 13, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 13, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 25, 2021 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2000 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Other

Taken May 30, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Marie-Claude HUSKEN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 31, 1875 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 31, 1853 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Barbara MAI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3085469)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:152552-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cerastium pumilum Curtis)

Specifications

Growth