Cerastium arvense
Field Mouse-Ear Chickweed
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Caryophyllaceae
- Genus
- Cerastium
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.2 m
- Spread
- 1 m
- Fertility
- self fertile
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Flies and small bees
Uses
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
The plant is astringent[2]. A decoction of the plant has been used in the treatment of injuries and miscarriage[2]. A decoction is said to stop uterine bleeding and prevents the child from passing through the uterus[2].
Environment
- Range
- Most of Europe, including Britain, south and east to N. Africa and temperate Asia..
- Habitat
- Dry banks and waysides, and in grassland, especially on calcareous or slightly acid sandy soils, throughout Britain but mainly in the east[2].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- drought
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. Division in spring. The prostate shoots root freely as they spread[1], making division very simple[K].
Cultivation
See the plants native habitat for ideas on its cultivation needs.
References
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9