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Stellaria alsine - Grimm.

Common Name Bog Stitchwort, Bog chickweed
Family Caryophyllaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards Although no mention has been seen for this species, the leaves of some members of this genus contain saponins. Although toxic, these substances are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm. They are also broken down by thorough cooking. Saponins are found in many plants, including several that are often used for food, such as certain beans. It is advisable not to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].
Habitats Streamsides, flushes, wet tracks and woodland ridges[17].
Range Most of Europe, including Britain, to temperate Asia and N. America.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Stellaria alsine Bog Stitchwort, Bog chickweed


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Stellaria alsine Bog Stitchwort, Bog chickweed

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Stellaria alsine is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Alsine uliginosa. Stellaria uliginosa

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Bog Garden; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Young leaves and shoots - raw or cooked[105, 177].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antidote  Carminative  Depurative  Galactogogue  Miscellany

The whole plant is carminative, depurative and galactogogue[147, 218, 240]. It promotes hydrosis[147]. A decoction is used as an antidote against snakebite, in the treatment of colds, traumatic injuries and pimples[147, 218, 240]. The fresh herb can be crushed for external application[147].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Miscellany

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a moist soil.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation (Gorno-Altay, Tyumen), China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan TROPICAL ASIA: Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Vietnam NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Québec, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador), United States (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, West Virginia, Minnesota, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee) EUROPE: Denmark, Finland (south), United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine (west), Bulgaria, Greece (north), Croatia, Italy, Romania, Serbia, Spain, France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Portugal (Madeira Islands), Morocco

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Stellaria dichotomaAmerican chickweedPerennial0.3 -  LMHSNM02 
Stellaria diversiflora Perennial0.3 -  LMHSNM10 
Stellaria gramineaLesser stitchwortPerennial0.5 4-8 FLMHSNM312
Stellaria jamesianatuber starwortPerennial0.5 4-9  LMHSNM300
Stellaria mediaChickweed, Common chickweedAnnual0.1 4-11 FLMHSNM332
Stellaria neglectaGreater Chickweed, Common chickweedAnnual0.1 0-0  LMHSNM10 
Stellaria nipponica Perennial0.2 -  LMHNDM10 
Stellaria puberaStar chickweedPerennial0.2 5-8 FMHFSM313
Stellaria radians Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Stellaria sessiliflora Perennial0.3 -  LMHSNM10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Grimm.

Botanical References

17

Links / References

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