CERASTIUM ARVENSE Meaning and
Definition
-
Cerastium arvense, commonly known as field chickweed, is a herbaceous flowering plant belonging to the family Caryophyllaceae. It is a low-growing, prostrate or ascending perennial herb that is native to Europe and widely distributed across temperate regions of North America and Asia.
The plant generally reaches a height of 10-30 centimeters, with slender, branching stems that have a mat-forming growth habit. The leaves are simple, opposite, and densely hairy, ranging in shape from linear to spatulate, with pointed tips. The flowers are small, white, and star-shaped, growing in loose clusters at the end of the stems. They have five petals with deeply notched lobes, accompanied by five sepals. Flowering usually occurs from spring to mid-summer.
Cerastium arvense is well-adapted to various soil types and climates, and is often found in disturbed areas, fields, meadows, pastures, and open woodlands. It serves as an important food source for various wildlife, including birds and mammals, while also providing habitat and nectar for pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
In traditional herbal medicine, Cerastium arvense has been utilized for its potential therapeutic properties. It has been historically used as a diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing agent. Some studies have reported antimicrobial and antioxidant activity associated with certain compounds found in the plant. However, further research is required to fully understand its potential medicinal applications.
Common Misspellings for CERASTIUM ARVENSE
- xerastium arvense
- verastium arvense
- ferastium arvense
- derastium arvense
- cwrastium arvense
- csrastium arvense
- cdrastium arvense
- crrastium arvense
- c4rastium arvense
- c3rastium arvense
- ceeastium arvense
- cedastium arvense
- cefastium arvense
- cetastium arvense
- ce5astium arvense
- ce4astium arvense
- cerzstium arvense
- cersstium arvense
- cerwstium arvense
Etymology of CERASTIUM ARVENSE
The word "Cerastium" originates from the Greek word "keras" (κέρας), meaning "horn", and the Latin suffix "-ium", which is used to form names of plants. This is due to the horn-shaped capsule that encloses the seed of the Cerastium species. "Arvense", on the other hand, is a Latin word that means "field" or "cultivated land". Therefore, the full etymology of "Cerastium arvense" can be understood as "field horn", referring to the wildflower's habitat and the shape of its seed capsule.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
