Greater Stitchwort is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in woodland margins and hedgerows, to a mature height of up to 50cm.
Greater Stitchwort takes its name from the relative size of its flowers and the traditional belief that it could be used to treat 'side stitch' pain. The plant can be distinguished from the related Lesser Stitchwort by its funnel-shaped flowers with broad petals, cleft to about halfway down the petal.
Botanic classification and naming: Greater Stitchwort is a member of the Carnation (Caryophyllaceae) family. The genus name
'Stellaria' identifies the plant as a Stitchwort and its species name 'holostea' means 'brittle-stemed plant'.
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