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Common Mouse-ear

©Northeast Wildlife

Common mouse-ear

Common mouse-ear is a persistent 'weed' of fields and gardens, verges and hedgerows - all kinds of habitats. But, like many of our weed species, it is still a good food source for insects.

Scientific name

Cerastium fontanum

When to see

April to September

Species information

Statistics

Height: up to 30cm
Common.

About

Common mouse-ear is a kind of chickweed with tiny white flowers that is found in all kinds of habitats all over the UK, from gardens to grasslands, waste grounds to walls. It flowers from April to September and its thought that its seeds can last in the soil for up to 40 years. It is considered a weed of cereal crops.

How to identify

A low-growing, spreading plant, Common mouse-ear has tiny, white, five-petalled flowers; its dark green leaves are covered with white hairs.

Distribution

Widespread.

Did you know?

A single Common mouse-ear plant can produce as many as 6,500 seeds!