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Stellaria dichotoma - L.

Common Name American 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 Barren steppes and stony slopes[74]. Slopes, stony and sandy hills and steppes at elevations of 200 - 3100 metres in northern China[266].
Range E. Asia - China, Siberia.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Stellaria dichotoma American chickweed


Stellaria dichotoma American chickweed

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Stellaria dichotoma is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. 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 americana. Arenaria stephaniana var. americana. Stellaria dichotoma L. var. americana

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

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.
Anticholesterolemic  Depurative  Febrifuge  Malaria

The root is anticholesterolemic, depurative and febrifuge[176, 218]. It is used in the treatment of fever and malaria, night sweats, infantile malnutrition[176, 218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The sub-species S. dichotoma lanceolata. Bunge. is used medicinally in China[176]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. 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:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ. Division in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia (Eastern Siberia), Russian Federation (Altay), Mongolia, Russian Federation (Amur), China (Nei Mongol Zizhiqu (north))

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 :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Stellaria alsineBog Stitchwort, Bog chickweedPerennial0.3 0-0  LMHSNM12 
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.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

74266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Associate Professor Zainal Ariffin Ahmad   Sat Jan 10 2009

Found this research related to Stellaria dichotoma: Chan Kit Lam (2005). Dichotomins J and K, Vasodilator Cyclic Peptides from Stellaria dichotoma. Journal of Natural Products, 68(11), 1686-1688 (2005)

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