Citation: L., Sp. Pl. 437 (1753).

Derivation: From the Greek kerastes, horned; alluding to the shape of the capsule.

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: Mouse-ear chickweeds.

Description:
Annual herbs; leaves opposite.

Flowers in terminal cymes, sometimes solitary; sepals 5, free or fused; petals 5, white, bifid; stamens 4-10; styles 5, opposite the sepals, rarely 3 or 4.

Capsule oblong or cylindrical, exceeding the calyx, opening at the summit by 10 teeth; seeds numerous, minute, reniform, tuberculate.

Distribution:  About 60 species throughout the world.

Biology: No text

Taxonomic notes: Cerastium fontanum Baumg. Subsp. triviale (Link)Jalas was recorded for S. Aust. by Jacobs & Pickard (1981), Plants of New South Wales, but no material identified as such has been seen by the author.

Key to Species:

1. Pedicels equalling or slightly shorter than the sepals; flowers loosely arranged; stamens 4 or 5; sepals without glandular hairs protruding beyond the apex
2. Sepals without scarious margins; stamens 4 or 5; upper bracts completely herbaceous	C. diffusum 1.
2. Sepals with scarious margins; stamens 5; upper bracts scarious at least in the upper third	C. semidecandrum 2.
1. Pedicels shorter than the sepals; flowers in clusters; stamens 10; sepals with glandular hairs protruding beyond the apex	C. glomeratum 3.

Author: Not yet available