Chickweed

Genus Cerastium
Pink Family (Caryophyllaceae)



Chickweed blossoms (Millcreek Canyon)


Field Chickweed
(Cerastium arvense)

This is a tiny plant -- usually just a few inches high. It often has many blossoms on one spreading plant, or a large mat of plants growing close together.

It is also called "mouse-ear" chickweed because of its velvety leaves.

It can sometimes become a nuisance in lawns.

Alpine chickweed near Albion Basin


Alpine Chickweed
(Cerastium beeringianum)

The alpine species is very similar. In both, the flowers have five deeply notched petals. Each blossom is about a half inch across.


Photographed
by Sandra Bray


Wasatch Mountain canyons
Salt Lake County, Utah


References