Seasonal Wild Flowers

Snow-in-summer

Cerastium tomentosum

Caryophyllaceae

May to August, but a few flowers can be found at any time.

It is found throughout the country, but is less common in

the North.

See the BSBI distribution map for Snow-in-summer

It is neophyte which has been grown in the UK since the

late 1640s.

It has been a naturalised, garden escape since the mid

1910s.

It grows on waste ground, brownfield sites, tips, sand

dunes, shingle beaches and alongside roads, paths

and railways.

Snow-in-summer is a low growing, spreading, mat-forming

perennial herb.

The flowers are white, up to 2cm across, with cleft petals

and grey lines.

The leaves are covered in glaucous, downy hairs.

Snow-in-summer in grassy scrub

Flower showing stigmas

Flower showing anthers

White-grey leaves