Field chickweed (Cerastium arvense, Sp. Pl.: 438 (1753))

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 438 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cerastium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Russian Far East and C. Asia, NW. Africa

Description

Field chickweed, known scientifically as Cerastium arvense, is a resilient and widespread herbaceous plant. It belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family and has a rich historical presence that is documented as far back as 1753. This species was first described in detail in the monumental “Species Plantarum” by Carl Linnaeus, one of the most well-regarded botanists in history.

This hardy plant is native to a broad geographical range, stretching from the diverse climates of Europe to the expansive territories of the Russian Far East and Central Asia. It is also found in the northwestern regions of Africa, showcasing its adaptability to various environmental conditions.

Field chickweed typically thrives in grasslands, meadows, and open woodland areas where it can enjoy plenty of sunlight while competing with other wildflowers and grasses. Its delicate white flowers and slender stems can often be seen carpeting fields and roadsides, adding a touch of subtle beauty to the landscape. Despite its unassuming appearance, Cerastium arvense has an important role in its ecosystem, providing food and habitat for various insects and other small wildlife.

The plant’s extensive distribution and ecological significance make it a fascinating subject for botanists and naturalists alike. Whether considered for its simplicity or its endurance across continents, Field chickweed remains a subtle yet integral part of the natural flora.

Common Names

Deu: acker-hornkraut
Eng: field chickweed, field mouse-ear, field mouse-ear chickweed, meadow chickweed, prairie mouse-ear chickweed, starry chickweed, starry grasswort
Dan: storblomstret hønsetarm
Nld: akkerhoornbloem
Fra: céraiste des champs
Swe: fältarv
Nor: ækkerærve
Cym: clust llygoden y caeau, clust llygoden y tywod, clust-y-llygoden y meysydd, cornwlydd yr ŷd
En: Field chickweed, Field mouse-ear, Field mouse-ear chickweed, Meadow chickweed, Prairie mouse-ear chickweed, Starry grasswort, Starry chickweed, Mouse-ear Chickweed
Be: Ясколка палявая
Bg: Полски рожец
Ca: Cerasti de fulla estreta
Zh: 卷耳
Cs: Rožec rolní
Da: Storblomstret hønsetarm
Nl: Akkerhoornbloem, Akkerhornbloem
Et: Põld-kadakkaer
Fi: Ketohärkki
Fr: Céraiste des champs, Ceraiste des champs, Oeilleton des bois, Oreille-de-rat
De: Acker-Hornkraut, Ackerhornkraut, Ackergras
Is: Mjallareyra
It: Peverina dei campi, Peverina a foglie strette
Lt: Dirvinė glažutė
Mk: Полски рожец
Nv: Táłkááʼ sikaadí
No: Ækkerærve
Pl: Rogownica polna
Ro: Cornuț de munte
Ru: Ясколка полевая
Sk: Rožec roľný
Es: Oreja de ratón
Sv: Fältarv
Zh-tw: 卷耳
Zh-hant: 卷耳
Uk: Роговик польовий
Cy: Clust-y-llygoden y meysydd, Clust Llygoden y Caeau, Clust Llygoden y Tywod, Cornwlydd yr Ŷd

Synonyms

• Stellaria arvensis ((L.) Gray)
• Alsine arvensis ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)
• Cerastium arvense var. ruderale (Hartm.)
• Cerastium arvense var. tenuipes (Pau)
• Leucodonium arvense ((L.) Opiz)
• Cerastium arvense subsp. commune (Gaudin)
• Centunculus arvensis ((L.) Scop.)
• Cerastium arvense var. latifolium (Fenzl)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Chita (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile North (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Other

Taken May 17, 2021 by sa me (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2022 by Petr Harant (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 10, 2021 by indipiku (cc-by-sa)

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

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

Flower

Taken May 31, 2020 by Mancová Alena (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2018 by Kirse Alina (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2018 by alieno.fi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2018 by Kirse Alina (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2020 by Mancová Alena (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 3, 2022 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2020 by woocash (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2020 by Jekaterina Morozova (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2020 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2019 by margarida vila (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 17, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2022 by Phillip Neal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2020 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 19, 2019 by Tilmann Weckesser (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 10, 2019 by Ken Sedman (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2020 by Agnès Jonquères (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 4, 2021 by Nono Dupré (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:329786-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3085433)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cerastium arvense L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 5