Dwarf Chickweed
Moenchia erecta (L.) G.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb.
Moenchia erecta, known as Dwarf Chickweed, is an annual plant in the Caryophyllaceae family. It typically grows under 10 cm tall, with blue-green glaucous leaves and small white flowers. The sepals are longer than the petals, green with white borders. Native to Europe, it has been introduced to regions including Australia, North America, and parts of North Africa. Though a common pasture weed, it is not highly invasive.
Description
Moenchia erecta (L.) G.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb. is a small, non-invasive annual species found in pastures and disturbed areas. It is native to Europe and has been naturalized in regions such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Algeria. The plant is characterized by its compact growth, blue-green leaves, and small white flowers. It is often found in agricultural settings but does not exhibit strong competitive behavior. Its scientific name was published in 1799.
Other common names
Upright chickweedUpright MoenchiaDwarf Chickweed
Distribution
ZA · Flanders · Bulgaria · PL · AU · CA · conterminous 48 United States · Belgium · Flemish Region · Walloon Region · Algeria · British Columbia · California · Cape Provinces · Corse · Czechoslovakia · France · Germany · Great Britain · Greece · Illinois · Italy · Lebanon-Syria · Maryland · Morocco · Netherlands · North Carolina · Oregon · Palestine · Poland
Synonyms
Moenchia octandraMalachium erectumMalachium octandrumSagina octandraSagina erectaAlsine erectaAlsine quaternellaAlsinella erectaCerastium erectumCerastium octandrumCerastium quaternellumDoerriena erectaMoenchia erecta subsp. octandraMoenchia erecta subsp. erectaCerastium erectum
