Chickweed (Cerastium fontanum)

Family: Caryophyllaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Cerastium fontanum is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from April to June, and the seeds ripen from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland).

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Shoots

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked. Leaves and young stems - cooked. — Leaves - raw or cooked.; Leaves and young stems - cooked.

Habitat & North American Range

Moist shaded situations, 1700 - 2800 metres in Srinagar. A cosmopolitan weed in China, where it grows at elevations up to 4300 metres. (Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)