Cerastium fontanum Baumg.

Perennial, often with short tufted non-flowering axillary branches. Flowering stems ascending to erect, (5)–15–45–(60) cm tall, with dense spreading eglandular hairs. Lvs ovate, lanceolate, elliptic or oblanceolate, (5)–10–25–(50) × 3–10–(20) mm, the lower petiolate, the upper sessile, with eglandular hairs. Infl. crowded; infructescence lax; fruiting pedicels usually > sepals, with dense eglandular hairs. Bracts ovate, the lower without scarious margins, eglandular hairy on both surfaces, the upper with scarious margins, glabrous above. Sepals scarious on margins, 4–6 mm long, glabrous above, with eglandular hairs on green part beneath; hairs not overtopping apex. Petals c. = sepals. Styles 1.5–2 mm long. Capsule cylindric, 2× length of calyx. Seeds c. 0.6 mm long, tuberculate.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: (Aug.)–Oct.–Mar.–(Jun.); Fruiting: (Sep.)–Nov.–Apr.–(Jun.)