Gray chickweed (Cerastium brachypetalum, Syn. Pl. 1: 520 (1805))

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Author: Desp. ex Pers.

Bibliography: Syn. Pl. 1: 520 (1805)

Year: 1805

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cerastium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Iran, N. Morocco

Description

Gray chickweed, scientifically known as Cerastium brachypetalum, is a delicate and intriguing plant species belonging to the Caryophyllaceae family. This species boasts a rich heritage of observation, stretching from the varied landscapes of Europe, across to Iran, and even extending to northern regions of Morocco.

The botanical history of Gray chickweed can be traced back to an entry in “Syn. Pl. 1: 520 (1805)” with notable contributions from botanist Desp. ex Pers. The resilient nature of Cerastium brachypetalum enables it to thrive in diverse climates and terrains, reflecting its adaptability and extensive geographical footprint.

Gray chickweed usually presents itself with dainty, grayish-green foliage, adding subtle beauty to the ecosystems it inhabits. Despite its modest appearance, the plant plays a vital role in the local flora, contributing to the biological diversity and serving as a resource for various pollinators.

Botanists and plant enthusiasts alike take interest in Cerastium brachypetalum not just for its aesthetic grace, but also for its ecological significance and historical botanical documentation. The widespread occurrence from Europe to Iran and northern Morocco makes it a subject of study for understanding plant distribution and adaptation mechanisms in differing environments.

In summary, Cerastium brachypetalum, or gray chickweed, is a testament to plant resilience and diversity, reflected in its broad habitat range and historical prominence as documented in early botanical literature.

Common Names

Deu: bärtiges hornkraut, kleinblütiges hornkraut
Eng: gray chickweed, grey mouse-ear
Nor: raggarve
Dan: stivhåret hønsetarm
Fra: céraiste à pétales courts
Nld: kalkhoornbloem
Swe: raggarv
Cym: clust llygoden llwyd, clust-y-llygoden lwyd
En: Gray chickweed, Grey Mouse-ear, Grey mouse ear
Bg: Късовенечен рожец
Cs: Rožec krátkoplátečný
Da: Stivhåret hønsetarm
Nl: Kalkhoornbloem
Fi: Lyhytterähärkki
Fr: Céraiste à pétales courts
De: Kleinblütiges Hornkraut, Bärtiges Hornkraut
Is: Hélufræhyrna
It: Peverina a petali brevi
Lt: Smulkiažiedė glažutė
No: Raggarve
Pl: Rogownica drobnokwiatowa
Sv: Raggarv
Cy: Clust-y-llygoden lwyd, Clust Llygoden Llwyd

Synonyms

• Cerastium mutabile var. brachypetalum ((Desp. ex Pers.) Spenn.)
• Cerastium vulgatum var. brachypetalum ((Desp. ex Pers.) Roth)
• Alsine brachypetala ((Desp. ex Pers.) E.H.L.Krause)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)

Additional Images

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

Flower

Taken May 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 24, 2020 by Linde Anne (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude CALAIS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2022 by Anton Gjeldum (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Feb 15, 2021 by Mélissandre DA SILVA BARREIROS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 14, 2020 by elif (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 25, 2020 by El-Houaria Cherrabi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2020 by Linde Anne (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 3, 2020 by Gallego Javier (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Habit

Taken Apr 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 15, 1992 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Mar 15, 1997 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Other

Taken Apr 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Apr 30, 1851 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3085439)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:152118-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cerastium brachypetalum Desp. ex Pers.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’]