Biology:Stellaria holostea
| Stellaria holostea | |
|---|---|
| |
| ' 'Stellaria holostea with its distinctive notched petals | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Caryophyllaceae |
| Genus: | Stellaria |
| Species: | S. holostea
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| Binomial name | |
| Stellaria holostea | |
Stellaria holostea, the addersmeat[1] or greater stitchwort, is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant in the carnation family Caryophyllaceae.
Description
It can grow up to 60 centimetres (24 in) in height, with roughly 4-angled stems. The long, narrow (lanceolate) leaves are greyish green, hairless, sessile, opposite and decussate (the successive pairs borne at right angles to each other).[2]:460[3]:90[4] The flowers are white, 20-30mm across with five petals split to about halfway down and much shorter sepals.[4][5]
Etymology
Stellaria, the genus name, means 'star-like'.[citation needed] The specific epithet holostea comes from the Greek holosteon, literally meaning 'entire bone'; a reference to the brittleness of the weak stems of this plant. The common name Stitchwort is a reference to a herbal remedy in which this plant is used allegedly to cure side stitch, which afflicts many people when they try to run without stretching first.[6]
Distribution
Stellaria holostea is native to Western and Central Europe, including the British Isles.
References
- ↑ "Stellaria holostea". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=STHO2. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
- ↑ Stace, C. A. (2010). New Flora of the British Isles (Third ed.). Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521707725.
- ↑ Blamey, M.; Fitter, R.; Fitter, A (2003). Wild flowers of Britain and Ireland: The Complete Guide to the British and Irish Flora.. London: A & C Black. ISBN 978-1408179505.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sterry, Paul (1997). Complete British Wildlife. London: HarperCollins. p. 240. ISBN 978-0-583-33638-3.
- ↑ Waller, Chris (1981). Nature Guide to the Lake District. London: Usborne Publishing. p. 72. ISBN 0-86020-403-0.
- ↑ Stellaria holostea - Greater Stitchwort Retrieved 15 May 2017.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Stellaria holostea. |
Wikidata ☰ Q157452 entry
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