Cerastium vulgatum
 
Mouse-Eared Chickweed

Inflorescence

Centre Block, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
05-July-2014

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Vulgatum: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this species. 
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perennial, with basal offshoots; NOT [annual, lacking basal offshoots]

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axillary shoots few or lacking; NOT [axillary shoots numerous, at the axils of most leaves]

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stems usually glandular pubescent, with the leaves stiffly hirsute, ciliate; NOT [stems and leaves pilose or glandular pilose]

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petals equalling or shorter than sepals

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capsule 1-2 times longer than sepals; NOT [capsule 2-3 times longer than sepals]

 

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Cerastium: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this genus. 
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plants not with woody base

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plants without stipules; NOT [plants with small, ovate, papery stipules at junction of stem and leaf, and stem and branch]

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sepals entirely separate; NOT [sepals united part way, forming a tube]

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corolla present; NOT [corolla absent]

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petals deeply 2-cleft; NOT [petals entire or merely notched at apex]

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petals lacking claws

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styles usually 5; NOT [styles usually 3]

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ovary not stipitate

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capsule long, cylindric, often curved; NOT [capsule short, ovoid or ellipsoid]

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capsule opening with twice as many valves or teeth as there are styles; NOT [capsule opening with as many entire (or later 2-cleft) valves as there are styles] (BF)

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capsule usually opening with 10 valves; NOT [capsule usually opening with 6 valves] (BF)

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capsule dehiscing by teeth (10); NOT [capsule dehiscing by valves] (FOA)

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fruit dehiscent; NOT [fruit indehiscent]

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fruit many-seeded; NOT [fruit with a single seed]

 

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Caryophyllaceae: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora  leading to this family. 
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herbs; NOT [shrubs or trees]

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plants terrestrial or semiaquatic; NOT [plants aquatic, leaves submerged or floating]

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terrestrial plants; NOT [mud plants with small axillary flowers]

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plants not with colored milky juice

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plants with more than one normal leaf

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leaves opposite, whorled, or basal; NOT [some or all leaves alternate]

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leaves not glandular-dotted

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plants without large petal-like bracts; NOT [plants with an involucre of 4 petal-like bracts]

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flowers with two floral rings

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sepals more than 2; NOT [sepals 2]

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each petal distinct from the others

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stamens not united at base; NOT [stamens united at base into 3-5 bundles]

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styles 2 or more; NOT [styles single]