Field mouse-ear facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Field mouse-ear |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cerastium
|
| Species: |
arvense
|
Cerastium arvense, also called field mouse-ear or field chickweed, is a beautiful flowering plant. It is part of the pink family. This plant grows in many places around the world. You can find it across Europe, North America, and even in parts of South America. It's a very adaptable plant, which means it can look a bit different depending on where it grows. There are several types of this plant, but scientists sometimes disagree on how to tell them apart.
What it Looks Like
Cerastium arvense is a type of plant called a perennial herb. This means it lives for more than two years. It can grow to be about 30 to 45 centimeters (about 12 to 18 inches) tall.
This plant can grow in different ways. It might form a flat mat on the ground. It can also grow in a clump, spread out like a creeper, or stand upright. It grows from a main root called a taproot. Sometimes, it grows from a network of underground stems called rhizomes.
The plant usually feels a bit hairy. It often has special sticky hairs called glandular hairs. Its leaves are long and narrow, shaped like a spear, or oval. They are usually a few centimeters long.
The Flowers and Seeds
The flowers of Cerastium arvense can grow in different ways. Sometimes, there is just one flower. Other times, many flowers grow together in a tight bunch. Each flower has five white petals. These petals are split into two parts at the tip.
At the base of the petals are five green, hairy leaf-like parts called sepals. Inside the flower, there are ten yellow parts called stamens. These make pollen. There are also five styles, which are part of the plant's reproductive system.
After the flower blooms, it forms a fruit. This fruit is a small, dry case called a capsule. It can be up to 1.5 centimeters long. The capsule has ten tiny teeth at its top. Inside, it holds several small brown seeds.
Where it Grows
This plant is very common and grows in many different places. It is found all over Europe and North America. You can also find it in some parts of South America. Its ability to grow in various forms helps it survive in many different environments.
See also
In Spanish: Cerastium arvense para niños
