Etymology: Cerastium: from Greek keras, "a horn," referring to the shape of the seed capsule
Plants: erect/sprawling, biennial/perennial, 1"-12" tall, matting forb, bottom branches often short; stems hairy; rooting from the nodes
Leaves: oval to lance-like, stalkless
Flowers: white, 5-parted, 1/3"-1/2" wide, long-stalked; petals deeply 2-lobed and mostly as long as the sepals; inflorescence tight, branched clusters (cyme) widening with age; blooms May-Oct.
Fruits: cylindrical capsule
Habitat: lawns, disturbed areas
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized

Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Wetland Indicator = FACU USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"