cerastium

[ suh-ras-tee-uhm ]

noun

, plural ce·ras·ti·ums.

1. any of various low-growing plants of the genus Cerastium, having leaves covered with whitish or grayish down and small white flowers, and including mouse-ear chickweed and snow-in-summer.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cerastium¹

< New Latin (Linnaeus) < Greek kerást ( ēs ) horned ( cerastes ) + New Latin -ium -ium; so called from the horn-shaped seed capsules of some species

Example Sentences

In fig. 16 the biparous cyme is represented in the flowering branch of Cerastium.

From Project Gutenberg

This is the prettiest Cerastium, though not so "mousy" as some, and grows in dry as well as moist situations.

From Project Gutenberg

A smooth Cerastium, agreeing in every respect with the large-flowered one, except the hairiness and hoary aspect of the leaves.

From Project Gutenberg

The large-flowered Cerastium (C. alpinum) was here every where in abundance, and the prickly Lycopodium.

From Project Gutenberg

Of the less conspicuous genera, the chick-weeds (Cerastium and Stellaria) are the most familiar.

From Project Gutenberg