Cerastium arvense

Common name: Field chickweed

Abbreviation code: CEAR

Seed

Cerastium arvense seeds
Photo Credit Lisa Hintz

Seed sample from: 2011

Average Measurement: 0.9 x 0.9 x 0.5

Measurement Range: L: 0.75 – 1, W: 0.8 – 1, D: 0.4 – 0.6

Shape: Seed somewhat kidney shaped, narrower at hilum and broadening at opposite apex. Hilum pinched.

Color: Rusty brown to orange brown. Hilum white.

Surface: Matte and covered with many small bumps, arranged in concentric half circles originating at the hilum and broadening at the opposite apex.

Latitudinal Cross Section: elliptical

Longitudinal Cross Section: obovate

Basic Explanations and Assumptions:

The dimensions for the seeds are length x width x depth. The location of the hilum is used as the base of the seed, and the length is measured from hilum to the opposite apex. Where a style is present, the length is measured from the hilum to the bottom of the style. Width is measured at a right angle to the length at the widest part. Depth is measured at a right angle to the intersection of height and width lines.

Measurements included are the mean average for each measurement of ten separate seeds.

All measurements in millimeters unless otherwise noted.