Stellaria graminea

Stellaria graminea is a species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae known by the common names common starwort,[1] grass-leaved stitchwort,[1] lesser stitchwort[2] and grass-like starwort.[3]

Stellaria graminea
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Genus: Stellaria
Species:
S. graminea
Binomial name
Stellaria graminea

Description

It is a rhizomatous perennial herb producing branching stems which are prostrate, sprawling, trailing, or erect, and reach up to about 90 centimeters long. The stems are four-angled, weak, and hairless. It is lined with pairs of linear or lance-shaped leaves, each 1–4 centimetres (0.4–1.6 in) long. The leaves are smooth-edged and hairless except for some hairs lining the bases. The inflorescence bears several flowers, each on a short pedicel. The flower has five pointed green sepals each a few millimeters long which are usually lined with hairs. There are five white petals, each so deeply lobed it appears to be two. The seeds are reddish brown in colour and are 1 millimetre (0.04 in) in diameter.[1] It bears 10 stamens.[4]

Distribution

It is native to Eurasia but it is widespread around other parts of the temperate world as an introduced species and a common weed.[5]

Habitat

It grows in many types of habitat, including lawns and roadsides.

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References
  1. "Stellaria graminea". Flora of North America. EFlora. Retrieved June 18, 2007.
  2. BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  3. USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Stellaria graminea". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  4. Parnell, J. and Curtis, T. 2012. Webb's An Irish Flora. Cork University Press. ISBN 978-185918-4783.
  5. "Stellaria graminea". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 18 June 2007.


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