Lesser Stitchwort is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in grassland, meadow and hedgerows, to a mature height of up to 50cm.
Lesser 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 Greater Stitchwort by its star-shaped flowers with very deeply cleft petals (almost to the base of the petal) and its calyx being visible through the petals.
Botanic classification and naming: Lesser Stitchwort is a member of the Carnation (Caryophyllaceae) family. The genus name
'Stellaria' identifies the plant as a Stitchwort and its species name 'graminea' means 'grass-like plant'.
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