The books refer to this plant as 'very variable' and my heart sinks. I have tried to make the identification process as thorough as possible and I can put my hand on my heart and say – I'm pretty sure my photographs are of Common Mouse Ear. However, if I'm wrong, please let me know. Common Mouse Ear is a hairy perennial, frequently found in gardens, roadsides and disturbed ground and flowers from April to November. Its small white flowers (5-7mm) have five deeply notched petals and sepals of equal length. Its grey-green, sessile, lanceolate leaves are arranged along the stems in opposite pairs. This little native plant is abundant throughout Ireland and belongs to the family Caryophyllaceae.
I first identified this plant in Athy, Co Kildare in 2004 and photographed it there and in Glenmalure, Co Wicklow in 2005.
If you are satisfied you have correctly identified this plant, please submit your sighting to the National Biodiversity Data Centre
