Above: Common Stitchwort in a grassy clearing along the bike path between Odana Road and Midvale Blvd. in Madison, Wisconsin on June 3, 2022.
Common Stitchwort - Stellaria graminea (Introduced/Naturalized)
Common stitchwort has 5 white, deeply-lobed petals (about 2/3 of the length of the petal) that gives the appearance of the flower having 10 petals.
The flowers are very small. About 1/4" - 1/2" wide. Common stitchwort has 5 narrow star-like green sepals behind the petals.
Above: 5 green sepals on back of Common Stitchwort flower with 3 distinct veins (6/03/22).
Above: Stems and leaves of Common Stitchwort (6/02/22).
Stitchwort grows in areas with full sun such as fields and roadsides.
Other names: Grass-like Starwort, Starwort, Grass-leaved Stitchwort, Lesser Stitchwort.
Blooms May - July.
For more information on Stitchwort (Stellaria graminea), visit Wikipedia.
Or, visit the UW-Madison Wisconsin State Herbarium website page about Stitchwort - Stellaria graminea.
Stitchwort
Stellaria graminea
Above: Common Stitchwort in a grassy clearing along the bike path between Odana Road and Midvale Boulevard in Madison, Wisconsin (6/02/22).
Above: Stellaria graminea botanical illustration by Christiaan Sepp circa 1800's.
Above: 1796 botanical illustration of Stellaria graminea by Jacob Sturm.
Above: Stellaria graminea botanical illustration.
Above: Stellaria graminea botanical illustration painting by the Swedish botanist C. A. M. Lindman (circa early 1900's).
Above: 1913 Stellaria graminea botanical illustration.