Intro: Erect to ascending or reclining perennial of bottomland forests, moist slopes, coves and hammocks.

Stems: Stems 4-angled, branching, with 2 lines of fine hairs.

Leaves: Leaves opposite, sessile to short-petiolate at lower stem, oval or lance-shaped, 3/4-4 in. long (the larger ones on non-flowering stems), usually hairy above.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers in open, leafy clusters at ends of stems; white; 1/4-5/8 in. wide; consisting of 5 spreading petals that are so deeply notched they appear to be 10, and 10 reddish-tipped stamens.

Fruits: Fruit a round capsule.

Comments:

Height: 4-16 in.

plant sale text: A name like star chickweed can strike fear in the hearts of gardeners but our native Stellaria pubera knows how to behave. It distinguishes itself from its troublesome relatives by larger, showier blooms and a perennial habit. Star chickweed does well in a woodland garden and is far more likely to spread by slowly creeping along the ground than by seeding in. This diminutive groundcover is common in the nearby woods, often found blooming in the company of green-and-gold, windflower, and dwarf crested iris. The genus Stellaria supports up to 15 lepidoptera species.

bloom table text:

description: Erect to ascending or reclining perennial of bottomland forests, moist slopes, coves and hammocks.

stems: Stems 4-angled, branching, with 2 lines of fine hairs.

leaves: Leaves opposite, sessile to short-petiolate at lower stem, oval or lance-shaped, 3/4-4 in. long (the larger ones on non-flowering stems), usually hairy above.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers in open, leafy clusters at ends of stems; white; 1/4-5/8 in. wide; consisting of 5 spreading petals that are so deeply notched they appear to be 10, and 10 reddish-tipped stamens.

fruits: Fruit a round capsule.

comments:

cultural notes:

germination code:

native range: eastern United States