Slender chickweed (Cerastium gracile, Ann. Gén. Sci. Phys. 7: 304 (1829))

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Author: Dufour

Bibliography: Ann. Gén. Sci. Phys. 7: 304 (1829)

Year: 1829

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cerastium

Vegetable: False

Observations: W. Medit.

Description

Slender chickweed, known scientifically as Cerastium gracile, is a fascinating plant species belonging to the Caryophyllaceae family. This plant was officially documented in 1829 by Dufour in Annales Générales des Sciences Physiques, a significant botanical reference of its time.

Characterized by its delicate and intricate structure, slender chickweed is a notable resident of the Western Mediterranean region, where it typically thrives. This perennial herb is distinguished by its thin, wiry stems and small, star-like white flowers, which contribute to its common name. The leaves of the Cerastium gracile are narrow and elongated, often covered in fine hairs that give the plant a slightly silvery appearance.

Slender chickweed plays a role in the local ecosystems of the Mediterranean, often found in rocky or sandy habitats where other vegetation might struggle to survive. Its ability to grow in such environments highlights its adaptive nature and resilience.

Whether for its botanical intrigue or its role within its habitat, slender chickweed, with its modest yet elegant presence, remains a subject of study and admiration among botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.

Common Names

Eng: slender chickweed
En: Slender chickweed, Sea Mouse-ear
Nl: Scheve Hoornbloem
Fr: Céraiste à quatre étamines, Céraiste diffus
De: Viermänniges Hornkraut
It: Peverina

Synonyms

• Cerastium riaei subsp. echinulatum ((Batt.) Maire)
• Cerastium riaei subsp. brevicorollinum (Maire & Weiller)
• Cerastium riaei subsp. subechinulatum ((Maire & Wilczek) Maire)
• Cerastium gracile var. kebdanense (Font Quer)
• Cerastium hirtellum var. brevicorollinum ((Maire & Weiller) Maire)
• Cerastium hirtellum (Pomel)
• Cerastium holotrichum (Sennen & Mauricio)
• Cerastium riaei subsp. gracile ((Dufour) Nyman)
• Cerastium kebdanense (Sennen & Mauricio)
• Cerastium lamottei (Legrand ex Nyman)
• Cerastium gracile var. gayanum ((Boiss.) Font Quer)
• Cerastium gracile var. genuinum (Font Quer)
• Cerastium pumilum var. laxum (Gren.)
• Cerastium riaei var. microspermum (Maire)
• Cerastium echinulatum (Coss. & Durieu ex Batt.)
• Cerastium pentandrum subsp. gracile ((Dufour) Maire & Weiller)
• Cerastium pumilum var. distans (Gren.)
• Cerastium hirtellum subsp. subechinulatum ((Maire & Wilczek) Maire)
• Cerastium subechinulatum (Maire & Wilczek)
• Cerastium pumilum subsp. subechinulatum ((Maire & Wilczek) Maire)

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• France (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Spain (native)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3085460)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:152282-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cerastium gracile Dufour)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’]