Paul Sterry - British Wild Flowers - A photographic guide to every common species

Sea Sandwort

Sea Sandwort Honckenya peploides (Caryophyllaceae) PROSTRATE

Mat-forming perennial that is familiar on stabilised coastal shingle and sandy beaches. FLOWERSGreenish white, 6–8mm across (May–Aug). Petals slightly shorter than sepals. FRUITS Yellowish green, pea-like . LEAVESOval, fleshy; in opposite pairs on creeping stems. STATUSLocally common around coasts.

Greater Stitchwort

Greater Stitchwort Stellaria holostea (Caryophyllaceae) HEIGHTto 50cm

Familiar perennial of open woodland, woodland rides and hedgerows. Note rough-edged stems . FLOWERSWhite, with 5 notched petals; on slender stems (Apr–June). FRUITSCapsules. LEAVESNarrow, fresh green , rough-edged and grass-like; easily overlooked in the absence of flowers. STATUSWidespread and common.

Marsh Stitchwort

Marsh Stitchwort Stellaria palustris (Caryophyllaceae) HEIGHTto 60cm

Rather straggly perennial of fens and marshes. Similar to Greater Stitchwort but with smooth stems and smooth-edged leaves . FLOWERSWhite, 12–20mm across, with 5 deeply notched petals (May–Aug). FRUITSCapsules. LEAVES Grey-green , narrow. STATUSExtremely local.

See also Arctic Sandwort

Bog Stitchwort

Lesser Stitchwort

Lesser Stitchwort Stellaria graminea HEIGHTto 50cm

Perennial of open woodland, meadows and hedgerows, mainly on acid soils. Note smooth-edged stems . FLOWERSWhite, 5–15mm across, with 5 deeply divided petals (May–Aug). FRUITSCapsules. LEAVESLong, narrow, smooth-edged and grass-like. STATUSWidespread and common throughout. Bog Stitchwort S. alsine is similar but tiny and straggling. Flowers 5–7mm across, petals deeply divided and shorter than sepals (May–June). Widespread in damp places.

Burbidge, Brinsley

Wood Stitchwort

Wood Stitchwort Stellaria nemorum HEIGHTto 60cm

Rather straggly perennial with hairy stems. Found in damp woodland. FLOWERSWhite, 15–20mm across, the petals deeply divided into narrow lobes (May–Aug). Petals twice as long as sepals. FRUITSCapsules. LEAVESOval, pointed; the lower ones stalked, the upper ones sessile. STATUSWidespread but local.

Common Chickweed

Common Chickweed Stellaria media HEIGHTto 30cm

Annual of disturbed ground. Sometimes prostrate. Stems hairy in lines on alternate sides between leaf nodes. FLOWERSWhite, 5-petalled, 5–10mm across; 3–8 stamens (Jan–Dec). FRUITSCapsules on long, drooping stalks. LEAVESOval, fresh green and opposite; upper ones unstalked. STATUSWidespread and common.

Greater Chickweed

Greater Chickweed Stellaria neglecta HEIGHTto 50cm

Annual or short-lived perennial of damp, shady ground. Similar to Common Chickweed but more robust. Stems hairy in lines on alternate sides between leaf nodes. FLOWERSWhite, 5-petalled, 10–12mm across; 10 stamens (Apr–July). FRUITSCapsules. LEAVESOval, in opposite pairs. STATUSLocal.

Common Mouse-ear

Common Mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum HEIGHTto 30cm

Hairy perennial, found in gardens and grasslands, and on disturbed ground. Flowering and non-flowering shoots occur. FLOWERSWhite, 5–7mm across, with 5 deeply notched petals (Apr–Oct). FRUITSCapsules. LEAVESGrey-green, in opposite pairs. STATUSWidespread and common throughout.

StickyMouse-ear

Sticky Mouse-ear Cerastium glomeratum HEIGHTto 40cm

Annual with sticky, glandular hairs . Found on dry, bare ground. FLOWERSWhite, 10–15mm across, with 5 deeply notched petals; in compact, clustered heads (Apr–Oct). FRUITSCapsules. LEAVESPointed-ovate, in opposite pairs. STATUSWidespread and common throughout.

Alpine Mouse-ear

Alpine Mouse-ear Cerastium alpinum HEIGHTto 10cm