Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Caryophyllales
Genus:
Species:
illyricum
ID:
596347

Status:
valid

Authors:
Ard.

Source:
cmp

Year:
1764

Citation Micro:
Animadv. Bot. Spec. Alt. : 26 (1764)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000595679

Common Names

  • Cerastium illyricum
  • Illyrian Chickweed
  • Illyrian Mouse-ear Chickweed

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Synonyms

  • Cerastium androsaceum Ser. [unknown]
  • Cerastium heterophyllum Viv. [unknown]
  • Cerastium pelligerum Bornm. & Hayek [unknown]
  • Cerastium pilosum Sm. [unknown]

Description

Cerastium illyricum (also called Illyrian Mouse-ear Chickweed, among many other common names) is an annual plant that grows up to 15 cm in height. It has small, white flowers and oval-shaped leaves. It is native to Europe and North Africa, and is found in grasslands and open woodlands.

Uses & Benefits

Cerastium illyricum is an ornamental plant, grown for its attractive foliage and flowers. It is also used as a ground cover in gardens and landscaping. The leaves can be used as a natural dye for fabrics and the flowers can be used to make a tea.

Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species

Cerastium illyricum sub. brachiatum (Lonsing) Jalas
Cerastium illyricum sub. crinitum (Lonsing) P.D.Sell & Whitehead
Cerastium illyricum sub. decrescens (Lonsing) P.D.Sell & Whitehead

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Cerastium illyricum has small white flowers with five petals, and its seeds are small and black. Its seedlings are small and have a single pair of leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Cerastium illyricum is a low-growing, mat-forming, evergreen perennial that typically grows to only 1” tall but spreads to 12” wide. It features small, white, 5-petaled flowers (1/4” diameter) in spring. It is native to rocky areas in the Balkans. It is best grown in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. It is drought tolerant once established. Propagation is by seed or division.

Where to Find Cerastium illyricum

Cerastium illyricum can be found in Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. It is typically found in grasslands, meadows, and disturbed areas.

Cerastium illyricum FAQ

What is the scientific name of Cerastium illyricum?

Cerastium illyricum

What is the common name of Cerastium illyricum?

Illyrian Mouse-ear Chickweed

What is the family of Cerastium illyricum?

Caryophyllaceae

Species in the Cerastium genus

Cerastium lanceolatum, Cerastium cuatrecasasii, Cerastium qingliangfengicum, Cerastium wilhelmianum, Cerastium afromontanum, Cerastium aleuticum, Cerastium alexeenkoanum, Cerastium alpinum, Cerastium alsinifolium, Cerastium amanum, Cerastium andinum, Cerastium annae, Cerastium arabidis, Cerastium araraticum, Cerastium arcticum, Cerastium argenteum, Cerastium argentinum, Cerastium armeniacum, Cerastium arvense, Cerastium atlanticum, Cerastium axillare, Cerastium baischanense, Cerastium ballsii, Cerastium banaticum, Cerastium barberi, Cerastium beeringianum, Cerastium behmianum, Cerastium berteroanum, Cerastium bialynickii, Cerastium biebersteinii, Cerastium boissierianum, Cerastium borisii, Cerastium brachypetalum, Cerastium brachypodum, Cerastium brevicarpicum, Cerastium cacananense, Cerastium candicans, Cerastium candidissimum, Cerastium capense, Cerastium capillatum, Cerastium carinthiacum, Cerastium cephalanthum, Cerastium cerastoides, Cerastium chilense, Cerastium chlorifolium, Cerastium comatum, Cerastium commersonianum, Cerastium crassipes, Cerastium crassiusculum, Cerastium cuchumatanense,

Species in the Caryophyllaceae family

Acanthophyllum acerosum, Acanthophyllum aculeatum, Acanthophyllum adenophorum, Acanthophyllum albidum, Acanthophyllum andarabicum, Acanthophyllum andersenii, Acanthophyllum anisocladum, Acanthophyllum bilobum, Acanthophyllum bracteatum, Acanthophyllum brevibracteatum, Acanthophyllum caespitosum, Acanthophyllum coloratum, Acanthophyllum crassifolium, Acanthophyllum cyrtostegium, Acanthophyllum diezianum, Acanthophyllum elatius, Acanthophyllum fissicalyx, Acanthophyllum glandulosum, Acanthophyllum gracile, Acanthophyllum grandiflorum, Acanthophyllum kabulicum, Acanthophyllum kandaharicum, Acanthophyllum knorringianum, Acanthophyllum korolkowii, Acanthophyllum korshinskyi, Acanthophyllum krascheninnikovii, Acanthophyllum lamondiae, Acanthophyllum laxiflorum, Acanthophyllum laxiusculum, Acanthophyllum lilacinum, Acanthophyllum longicalyx, Acanthophyllum macrodon, Acanthophyllum maimanense, Acanthophyllum mikeschinianum, Acanthophyllum mucronatum, Acanthophyllum oppositiflorum, Acanthophyllum pachycephalum, Acanthophyllum pachystegium, Acanthophyllum pleiostegium, Acanthophyllum popovii, Acanthophyllum pulcherrimum, Acanthophyllum pulchrum, Acanthophyllum pungens, Acanthophyllum raphiophyllum, Acanthophyllum recurvum, Acanthophyllum sarawschanicum, Acanthophyllum scapiflorum, Acanthophyllum schugnanicum, Acanthophyllum sordidum, Acanthophyllum speciosum,

References