CARYOPHYLLACEAE

Stellaria corei Shinners. Tennessee Starwort. Phen: Apr-Jun. Hab: Cove forests and seepages at moderate to high elevations, rarely escaped from cultivation. Dist: W. VA, WV, and sw. PA west to OH and IN, south to w. NC, e. and c. TN, and n. AL. Recently found in Johnson County, IL.

ID notes: Both Stellaria corei and Stellaria pubera have an interesting seasonal growth form, producing short and relatively small-leaved flowering shoots in the spring (which wither following fruiting), followed by taller, more vigorous summer shoots with larger and tougher leaves and lacking flowers, which persist until autumn. Some of the description in various manuals of differences in petiole length and leaf size and shape between the two species is obscured or complicated by these seasonal differences; more careful observation is needed.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Syn: = FNA5, K1, K3, K4, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, Tn, Va, W, WV; = Alsine tennesseensis (C.Mohr) Small – S, misapplied; = n/a – Il; = Stellaria pubera Michx. var. silvatica (Bég.) Weath. – C, F; = Stellaria silvatica (Bég.) Maguire – G, preoccupied

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