Common Mouse-ear

Growing form: Perennial, occasionally annual or biennial herb. Sparsely tufted. Sometimes rhizomatous.
Height: 5–35 cm (2–14 in.). Stem ascending–erect, usually densely haired, sometimes also with glandular hairs, flowerless shoots at base.
Flower: Corolla regular (actinomorphic), white, approx. 1 cm (0.4 in.) broad; petals five, 4.5–8 mm (0.18–0.32 in.) long, around same length as sepals, shallowly 2-lobed. Sepals 5, quite tapered, hairy, membranous margins. Stamens usually 10. Gynoecium syncarpous, with 5 styles. Inflorescence a 2-branched cyme, (3–)10–30-flowered.
Leaves: Opposite, stalkless. Blade elliptically long–ovate, tip sharp or quite blunt, with entire margins and spreading hairs, usually greyish green.
Fruit: Cylindrical, usually straight, brown, 10-valved, 8–15 mm (0.32–0.6 in.) long capsule.
Habitat: Meadows, rocky ridges, wasteland, roadsides, gardens, yards, lawns, arable land, rich forests, forest clearings, hedgerows, springs, shores.
Flowering time: June–August.
Endangerment: Ssp. vulgare is endangered.