Cerastium fontanum subsp. fontanum
Common name
mouse ear chickweed
Family
Caryophyllaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
Conservation status
Not applicable
Wetland plant indicator status rating
Information derived from the revised national wetland plant list prepared to assist councils in delineating and monitoring wetlands (Clarkson et al., 2021 Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Contract Report LC3975 for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council). The national plant list categorises plants by the extent to which they are found in wetlands and not ‘drylands’. The indicator status ratings are OBL (obligate wetland), FACW (facultative wetland), FAC (facultative), FACU (facultative upland), and UPL (obligate upland). If you have suggestions for the Wetland Indicator Status Rating, please contact: [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]
FACU: Facultative Upland
Occasionally is a hydrophyte but usually occurs in uplands (non-wetlands).
Year naturalised
1855
Origin
N. Temperate
Etymology
cerastium: From the Greek keras ‘horn’, referring to the seed capsules of some species looking like horns are they emerge from the calyx.
fontanum: From the Latin fons ‘fountain, spring’, means growing near springs or damp places