Perennial Weeds: Mouseear Chickweed

A very distinctive characteristic for identifying this plant, and how it gets its name, is the very hairy stems and leaves. Mouseear chickweed reproduces by seed, though it can root at its branching nodes as it grows along the ground.

The seeds act like a winter annual in that they primarily germinate in late summer through to the following spring. The leaves are opposite on seedlings and mature plants. They have a general oval shape and are dark green. The flowers are small and white with five petals that are deeply notched at the tip giving them a forked appearance. The seeds have a triangular shape and are flat and brown. Common chickweed (Stellaria media) looks very similar, but it is a winter annual and lacks hairs on the foliage and does not root at the nodes.

Since mouseear chickweed is a perennial, management can involve pre- and post-emergent herbicides. Pre-emergent herbicides include: prodiamine (Barricade); flumioxazin (SureGuard, landscape only); dichlobenil (Barrier, landscape only) and pendimethalin (Pendulum).

Post-emergent herbicides include: glyphosate (Roundup, non-selective); flumioxazin (SureGuard); and in turfgrass: 2, 4-D; dicamba; and combination products containing one or both of those active ingredients; and metsulfuron (Manor or Mansion). Small populations in landscape beds can be hand removed.

Remember to always read the label for specific application sites, precautions, and mix rates.