Common Mouse-Ear Chickweed

Cerastium holosteoides

Physical Characteristics

Cerastium holosteoides is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from April to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

A cosmopolitan plant, found n most regions of the world, including Britain.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Shoots Edible Uses: If purposefully added to a wild garden or food-forest understory, it can serve as a low, living-mulch species. It prefers cool seasons, so irrigation during dry summers helps maintain green growth. It does not require fertilization and can be controlled easily by hand-pulling if it spreads beyond intended boundaries. Leaves and young shoots[179]. This report refers to the subspecies C. holosteoides glandulosum. Koch.[179]. Edible Uses & Rating: Only the leaves (and tender upper stems) are generally eaten. Mouse-ear chickweed is edible raw or cooked and provides a mild, slightly kale-like flavor without bitterness, making it acceptable in salads or as a cooked green. However, its small size, hairy texture, and the limited bulk of each plant mean it is rarely a significant food source. As a wild edible, it ranks as a mild but minor green—useful when present but not worth targeted collection in most circumstances [2-3]. Taste, Processing & Kitchen Notes: Fresh leaves are mild and pleasant, reminiscent of young kale or mild brassicas. The fine hairs on leaves can feel slightly rough or ticklish in the mouth, but they do not irritate or sting. Upper stems—including the flowering portions—are tender enough to eat raw, while lower stems tend to be fibrous, and removing them improves texture. When cooked, mouse-ear chickweed becomes milder still, losing any sharpness and developing a neutral, slightly vegetal flavor. Boiling softens the leaves but rarely softens the coarse lower stems. It does not become mucilaginous or bitter with cooking, and it works well when mixed with other spring greens for soups or potherbs. Seasonality (Phenology): Mouse-ear chickweed grows whenever temperatures are cool and moisture is available. In Southwest mountain meadows, it can appear from spring through early autumn, often blooming from April to September. Because the plant readily roots at nodes and continually produces new leaves, foragers may harvest small amounts throughout the season. Flowering is continuous in favorable conditions, and the white star-like blossoms are often present for several months [2-3]. Safety & Cautions (Food Use): The plant is generally safe to eat in moderation. Its hairy texture can be mildly irritating to sensitive individuals. Because it grows low to the ground, it tends to collect soil, insects, and debris; thorough washing is recommended. Avoid harvesting in high-traffic lawns, chemically treated areas, or places where pets congregate. Harvest & Processing Workflow: For best results, harvest only the youngest, uppermost leaves and tender flowering tips. These parts have the mildest flavor and softest texture. Strip leaves and soft stems from older, tougher lower portions. Wash thoroughly to remove soil particles trapped in hairs. For cooked dishes, briefly boil or steam to soften. For salads, finely chop to reduce the sensation of leaf hairs. Cultivar/Selection Notes: Mouse-ear chickweed has no known cultivars. Its widespread distribution reflects naturalized, mixed genetic populations. Look-Alikes & Confusion Risks: Chickweeds (Stellaria spp.) resemble mouse-ear chickweed, but Stellaria species typically have smoother, nearly hairless leaves and somewhat different petal shapes (deeply divided petals resembling 10 petals). Other small white-flowered Caryophyllaceae may also cause confusion. The key identification characters are the hairy leaves and stems, paired opposite leaves, five notched petals about equal to the sepals, and cylindrical capsules with ten teeth. Traditional / Indigenous Use Summary: There is little ethnobotanical documentation of Indigenous use of mouse-ear chickweed in North America, likely due to its small size and low caloric yield. It may have been eaten occasionally when encountered, but it did not play a significant role in traditional diets. Its uses today are primarily among modern foragers and herbalists.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

The plant is generally safe to eat in moderation. Its hairy texture can be mildly irritating to sensitive individuals. Because it grows low to the ground, it tends to collect soil, insects, and debris; thorough washing is recommended. Avoid harvesting in high-traffic lawns, chemically treated areas, or places where pets congregate.