Shetland mouse-ear  (Cerastium nigrescens)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Description

Shetland mouse ear is endemic to Shetland (it is found no-where else in the world) (2). It is a diminutive tufted herb (4), with densely hair-covered stems and leaves (2). It was once thought to be a subspecies of the related species Arctic mouse-ear (Cerastium arcticum), but it has since been given full species status. It differs to Arctic mouse-ear in that its leaves are elliptic in shape and dark green in colour with a deep purplish tinge (5).

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