Mouse-ear Chickweed

Common name: Mouse-ear Chickweed

Botanical name: Cerastium vulgatum

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Life cycle: Perennial

Habitat: Mouse-ear Chickweed can grow on all types of soil. It can be a problem in managed turf as it forms as a low growing mat, easily able to tolerate low mowing.

Leaf: The small leaves are dark green in colour, oval shaped, fleshy and are covered in fine hairs

Flower: Very similar to those of common chickweed. They are small and white in colour, each flower has 5 petals that are deeply cut, giving the appearance of 10 petals. The flowering period of mouse-ear chickweed is between May and October.

Removal & control: A difficult weed to remove by hand unless the plants are few in number. Reducing the amount of shade over the lawn may help with this weed. Avoid placing stress on the lawn by mowing at a sensible height.

A selective herbicide can be used to control mouse-ear chickweed. A single application is usually enough for effective control.