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Sticky Chickweed Cerastium glomeratum

Previously known as:

  • Cerastium acutatum
  • Cerastium glomeratum var. apetalum
  • Cerastium viscosum
Phonetic Spelling
ser-RAS-tee-um gloh-mer-AY-tum
Description

Sticky Chickweed is an annual weed in the pink family and is similar to chickweed (Stellaria media) but has a more erect habit.  The leaves and stems are hairy giving it a gray appearance. This weed can tolerate a wide range of soils in sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained moist to dry sites. It can be found in fields, lawns, along roadsides and other disturbed areas.

Blooming occurs in late winter to early spring. The plant then dies as the days grow hot. It spreads by seeds.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#spreading#hairy leaves#annual weed#lawn weed#hairy stems#dry soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#annual#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#spreading#hairy leaves#annual weed#lawn weed#hairy stems#dry soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#annual#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cerastium
    Species:
    glomeratum
    Family:
    Caryophyllaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Has been used in herbal medicine
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Asia, Europe
    Distribution:
    Much of North America
    Wildlife Value:
    A food source for birds.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 10 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Prostrate
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Spring
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    A small capsule with tiny teeth splits open to disperse several seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Clusters of 1/4 inch wide flowers with 5 green hairy sepals and 5 white 2-lobed petals.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Obovate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Up to 3/4 inch long ovate, obovate or oblong green leaves with sticky hairs on both sides giving it a gray appearance.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Erect to ascending green to purplish hairy stems
  • Landscape:
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Problems:
    Weedy