Chickweed, Mouse ear chickweed
Cerastium fontanum subsp. triviale

Family: Caryophyllaceae

What it is like

A small herb. It usually lives for a few years. It grows 60 cm high. The stems can be branched or simple. They leaves are opposite. The leaves are 10-25 mm long by 3-9 mm wide. The flowers are small and white. They are in the axils of the upper leaves. The flowers are 1 cm across. The white petals are deeply notched. There is some confusion over Cerastium fontanum and the subsp.

There are about 100 Cerastium species.

Where it is found

It grows in temperate places. It grows in forests, forest margins, mountain slopes, hilltop grasslands, fields, sandy soils, rock crevices, roadsides between 100–4300 m altitude in China. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Falklands, Hawaii, Himalayas, Japan, Korea, Macquarie Island, Nepal, Pacific, Pakistan, SE Asia, St Helena, Taiwan, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The leaves can be eaten in salads. They can also be used in soups and stews. The stems and flowers can be used in cooked dishes.

Edible parts

Leaves, flowers, stems

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Xi quan juan er

Synonyms

Alsine trivialis E. H. L. Krause; Cerastium holosteoides var. hallaisanense (Nakai) Mizush.; Cerastium fontanum Baumg.; Cerastium vulgatum L.; Cerastanum holosteoides Fr.;