Starwort (Callitriche stagnalis, Fl. carniol. ed. 2, 2:251. 1772)

Family: Plantaginaceae

Author: Scop.

Bibliography: Fl. carniol. ed. 2, 2:251. 1772

Year: 1771

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Callitriche

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, NW. Africa, Europe to Türkiye

Description

Starwort, scientifically known as Callitriche stagnalis, is a remarkable and widespread aquatic plant. It was first documented by the botanist Giovanni Antonio Scopoli in the 1772 edition of “Flora Carniolica,” a seminal botanical work. Belonging to the Plantaginaceae family, Starwort is notable for its broad adaptability and has been observed in a variety of regions, from the lush landscapes of Macaronesia and the diverse terrains of northwestern Africa, stretching across the European continent, and reaching as far as Türkiye.

This plant is typically found in slow-moving or stagnant freshwater bodies like ponds, ditches, and slow streams. Starwort’s defining characteristics include its small, linear leaves, often forming dense mats on the water’s surface, which can serve as excellent cover and habitat for various aquatic organisms. The plant’s delicate green foliage and tiny, inconspicuous flowers may not immediately stand out, but Starwort plays a crucial ecological role in its habitats.

Thriving in different climates and possessing a resilient nature, Callitriche stagnalis is an essential species for researchers studying aquatic ecosystems. Its adaptability is a testament to its evolutionary success and importance in maintaining the health and balance of freshwater habitats.

Common Names

Eng: commen water-starwort, common starwort, common water-starwort, pond water-starwort, starwort, water chickweed
Spa: esterillo
Deu: gemeiner wasserstern, teich-wasserstern
Dan: storfrugtet vandstjerne
Fra: callitriche des eaux stagnantes, callitriche d’eau stagnante, callitriche des marais
Swe: dikeslånke
Nld: gevleugeld sterrenkroos
Kin: imposha
Sme: ráveloaŋka
Cym: brigwlydd cyffredin, brigwlydd y dŵr, brigwlydd y llynau, llinhesg llaca, llinhesg y dŵr
En: Starwort, Water chickweed, Common starwort, Common water-starwort, Pond water-starwort, European water starwort, Mud water starwort, Pond water starwort, Pond waterstarwort, Commen water-starwort
Be: Балотнік падводны
Bg: Езерно дренче
Zh: 水马齿
Cs: Hvězdoš kalužní
Da: Storfrugtet vandstjerne
Nl: Gevleugeld sterrenkroos, Gevleukel Sterrekroos, Gevleukel Sterrenkroos
Et: Tiik-vesitäht
Fi: Ojavesitähti
Fr: Callitriche des Eaux Stagnantes, Callitriche d’eau stagnante, Callitriche des marais, Callitriche des étangs
De: Teich-Wasserstern (Teichwasserstern), Gemeiner Wasserstern, Teich-Wasserstern
He: טובענית הפלגים
It: Gamberaja maggiore
Rw: Imposha
Se: Ráveloaŋka
Pl: Rzęśl wielkoowockowa
Ru: Болотник прудовой
Es: Esterillo
Sv: Dikeslånke
Zh-tw: 水馬齒
Zh-hant: 水馬齒
Vi: Diễm mao
Cy: Brigwlydd cyffredin, Brigwlydd y Dŵr, Brigwlydd y Llynau, Llinhesg Llaca, Llinhesg y Dŵr

Synonyms

• Callitriche verna (Savi)
• Callitriche stagnalis var. microphylla (Kütz.)
• Callitriche palustris subsp. stagnalis ((Scop.) Schinz & Thell.)
• Callitriche verna var. isophylla (Wimm. & Grab.)
• Callitriche dioica (Schur)
• Stellaria stagnalis ((Scop.) Kuntze)
• Callitriche platycarpa var. serpyllifolia (Kütz.)
• Callitriche minor (Bellynck)
• Callitriche stagnalis f. serpyllifolia ((Kütz.) Lönnr.)
• Callitriche stagnalis f. heterophylla (Glück)
• Callitriche aestivalis (Thuill.)
• Callitriche stagnalis f. submersa (Glück)
• Callitriche stagnalis f. caespitosa (Glück)
• Callitriche stagnalis f. terrestris (Glück)
• Callitriche stagnalis var. vulgaris (Kütz.)
• Callitriche stagnalis var. rivularis (Kütz.)
• Callitriche aquatica subsp. stagnalis ((Scop.) Bonnier & Layens)
• Stellina stagnalis ((Scop.) Bubani)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krym (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Svalbard (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Chatham Is. (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Falkland Is. (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

© 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.

Leaf

Taken Dec 23, 2018 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 21, 2021 by Patrick Nard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 21, 2021 by Patrick Nard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 23, 2018 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 23, 2018 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Mar 8, 2022 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 31, 2022 by Terje Norli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Jean MAURE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Jean MAURE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 5, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 12, 2022 by v. vergnolle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 11, 2020 by Ross Gardner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 23, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Jacques Maréchal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2020 by jid (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 11, 2012 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 28, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Sep 15, 2019 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 23, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Jacques Maréchal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Dec 31, 1852 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• WFO (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5372487)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:430045-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Callitriche stagnalis Scop.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 5

Atmospheric humidity: 9

Soil nutriments: 7