Cerastium dichotomum
Forked mouse-ear chickweed
Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Cerastium dichotomum (Forked mouse-ear chickweed) is a non-native California herb in the Caryophyllaceae family, recognized by large calyx and fruit size.
Forked mouse-ear chickweed is a naturalized annual found in fields and disturbed areas of the Siskiyou County region in northern California at elevations of 750 to 850 meters. Flowering from spring to early summer, this plant produces white flowers with delicate petals 8 to 10 millimeters long. Growing 7 to 18 centimeters tall with ascending to erect stems that are distinctively glandular-hairy, it has a delicate and sparse appearance. Its leaves are narrow and lanceolate, measuring 10 to 35 millimeters long, with a light green coloration. The mature fruit reaches 14 to 22 millimeters in length, with small seeds approximately 1 millimeter in size.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by large calyx and fruit size
Habitat and range
Habitat: Fields, roadsides, disturbed areas
Elevation: 750-850 m
Outside California: to Washington, native to southwestern Europe
Bloom period
Cerastium dichotomum blooms Spring-early summer.
How to tell it apart
vs Stellaria: Cerastium capsules are cylindrical and curved; Stellaria capsules are round and straight.; vs Limnanthes: Cerastium has tiny white flowers with cylindrical capsules; Limnanthes has showy bowl-shaped flowers with separate nutlets.; vs Pseudostellaria: Cerastium has fuzzy leaves and curved capsules; Pseudostellaria has smooth leaves and straight capsules.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cerastium dichotomum native to California?
No. Cerastium dichotomum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Cerastium dichotomum bloom?
Cerastium dichotomum blooms Spring-early summer.
What plant family does Cerastium dichotomum belong to?
Cerastium dichotomum is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Cerastium.
What habitat does Cerastium dichotomum grow in?
Cerastium dichotomum grows in Fields, roadsides, disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.