Grass-leaf starwort (Stellaria graminea, Sp. Pl.: 421 (1753))

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 421 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Stellaria

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Europe to Siberia and Himalaya

Description

Grass-leaf starwort, scientifically known as Stellaria graminea, is a delicate and widespread perennial herbaceous plant. First documented in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” (Sp. Pl.: 421), this species belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family, commonly referred to as the pink or carnation family.

Stellaria graminea thrives across a broad geographic range, spanning from Europe through Siberia and extending into the Himalayas. This extensive distribution signifies its adaptability to various climatic conditions and environments.

The plant is characteristically adorned with slender, grass-like leaves, which are reflected in its common name, Grass-leaf starwort. The leaves are typically linear and sessile, adding to the plant’s delicate appearance. During its blooming season, it produces small, white, star-shaped flowers that contribute to its ornamental appeal. Each flower comprises five deeply lobed petals, giving the impression of ten slender, pointed petals.

Grass-leaf starwort typically grows in moist, shady habitats such as woodland edges, meadows, and along stream banks, where it forms dense mats that can cover the ground. Its ecological role includes stabilizing soil with its root system and providing habitat and nectar for various insects, including bees and butterflies.

This species has been a subject of interest not only for botanists due to its widespread nature but also for gardeners and naturalists who appreciate its subtle beauty and resilience.

In summary, Stellaria graminea or Grass-leaf starwort, with its expansive native range from Europe to the Himalayas, is a notable member of the Caryophyllaceae family. Its fine, grass-like foliage and delicate star-shaped flowers make it a charming and resilient feature of the habitats it populates.

Common Names

Eng: common stitchwort, grass-leaf starwort, grass-leaf stitchwort, grass-like starwort, grassleaved stichwort, grassy starwort, lesser starwort, lesser stitchwort, little starwort, grass-leaved starwort, common starwort, grass-leaved stitchwort
Deu: gras-sternmiere, grasblättrige sternmiere
Dan: græsbladet fladstjerne
Fra: stellaire graminée, stellaire à feuilles de graminée, mouron des champs, stellaire graminoïde
Nld: grasmuur
Nno: grasstjerneblom
Nob: grasstjerneblom
Swe: grässtjärnblomma, heinätähtimö
Fin: heinätähtimö
Sme: gieddehilsku
Cym: manllys y neidr, serenllys bach, serenllys gwelltog, serenllys y bryniau, tafod yr edn lleiaf
En: Grass-leaf starwort, Grass-leaf stitchwort, Lesser stitchwort, Common stitchwort, Grass-like starwort, Grasslike starwort, Lesser starwort, Common starwort, Grassleaf starwort, Grassleaved stichwort, Grassy starwort, Little starwort, Grass-leaved starwort, Grass-leaved stitchwort
Be: Зоркаўка травяністая
Bg: Тревна звездица
Ca: Rèvola menuda
Zh: 禾叶繁缕
Kw: Lagasow kathes
Cs: Ptačinec trávovitý
Da: Græsbladet fladstjerne
Nl: Grasmuur
Et: Oras-tähthein
Fi: Heinätähtimö
Fr: Mouron des champs, Stellaire graminee, Stellaire graminée, Stellaire à feuilles de graminée, Stellaire graminoïde
De: Gras-Sternmiere, Grasmiere, Grassternmiere, Grasblättrige Sternmiere, Ackernelke
Is: Akurarfi
Ga: Tursarraing bheag
It: Centocchio gramignola
Se: Gieddehilsku
No: Grasstjerneblom, Gresstjerneblom
Nb: Grasstjerneblom
Nn: Grasstjerneblom
Pl: Gwiazdnica trawiasta
Ro: Rocoţea, Rocoțea
Ru: Звездчатка злаковая, Звездчатка злакови́дная
Sk: Hviezdica trávovitá
Es: Estelaria
Sv: Grässtjärnblomma, Heinätähtimö
Zh-tw: 禾葉繁縷
Zh-hant: 禾葉繁縷
Uk: Зірочник злаковидний
Cy: Serenllys bach, Manllys y Neidr, Serenllys Gwelltog, Serenllys y Bryniau, Tafod yr Edn Lleiaf

Synonyms

• Stellaria graminea var. micrantha (Merino)
• Stellaria graminea var. ericetorum (H.Post)
• Stellaria graminea subsp. arvensis (Ehrh.)
• Alsine graminea ((L.) Britton)
• Stellaria graminea f. grandis (C.G.Westerl.)
• Stellaria graminea var. fragilis (H.Post)
• Stellaria graminea f. longisepala (C.G.Westerl.)
• Stellaria graminea var. alpicola (Behm)
• Stellularia graminea ((L.) Kuntze)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Amur (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Iceland (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kamchatka (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Khabarovsk (introduced)
• Kuril Is. (introduced)
• Labrador (introduced)
• Magadan (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Sakhalin (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South Georgia (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 27, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2021 by Richard Thomas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2022 by Giner Cadena Guillermo (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2017 by Jean-René Girardeau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2018 by Jean-Baptiste Armengaud (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 5, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2021 by Frédéric Faure (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2021 by Richard Thomas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 17, 2019 by margarida vila (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 21, 2021 by Terje Norli (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2017 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2020 by Kate Senatskaya (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 12, 2022 by Natasha (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 11, 2018 by Luc Turpin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2022 by Silje Mittet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2018 by Solenn Jacquez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Barbara MAI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 23, 2022 by odile maury (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 17, 2020 by Artemiy Alexandrov (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2022 by Pavel Veselý (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2020 by r q (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 31, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:310207-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5384616)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Stellaria graminea L.)

Specifications

Growth