Edge/ Lesser Stitchwort

COMMON NAME: Lesser Stitchwort

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): English Stitchwort, Common Stitchwort

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Stellaria graminea

FAMILY: Caryophyllaceae

COMMUNITY: Edge

STATUS: Naturalized from Europe

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: 8 to 20 inches

FLOWERING TIME: Late May to mid July

FRUITING TIME: June to November

DISTRIBUTION: Newfoundland to South Carolina ~ Statewide in New Jersey

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Stem weak, reclining or ascending ~ Leaves linear or lance shaped, firm ~ Many flowered, star shaped, terminal in groups extending half way to the base ~ Seeds oblong, finely roughened

GENERAL INFORMATION: This family (Caryophyllaceae) commonly called the Pink or Carnation Family consists of 89 genera and 2,070 species of herbs, shrubs and a few trees found in temperate and warm climates.  Latin caryophlum means “a clove” alluding to the clove-like scent to some carnations. The genus Stellaria is from stella and means “star” and the species graminea means “grass-like”.  Stellaria refers to the star shaped flowers. Gerard wrote in his Herbal (1597) “They are wont to drink it in wine with the powder of Acornes, against the paine in the side, stitches, and such like”.  Lesser Stitchwort was recognized as a treatment for a stitch in the side.  The term “wort” is an old English term for herb or plant. Lesser Stitchwort is found in well-drained, open ground of meadows, grassy places and roadsides.  It is a common weed in many habitats.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.