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Stellaria jamesiana - Torr.

Common Name tuber starwort
Family Caryophyllaceae
USDA hardiness 4-9
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]. Stellaria jamesiana Torr. is a synonym of Pseudostellaria jamesiana (Torr.) W.A. Weber & R.L. Hartm.
Habitats Moist woodland amongst shrubs, westwards from Wyoming and Texas[85].
Range Western N. America.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Stellaria jamesiana tuber starwort


Al Schneider @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Stellaria jamesiana tuber starwort
Patrick J. Alexander @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Stellaria jamesiana is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. 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 curtisii. Alsine jamesiana. Alsine glutinosa. Alsine jamesii. Pseudostellaria jamesiana

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root
Edible Uses:

Young leaves - raw or cooked. Root - raw or cooked. Sweet and pleasant[85].

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.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy outdoors in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of the country. Prefers a moist loamy site[85]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is tuberous with swollen potato-like roots [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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 alsineBog Stitchwort, Bog chickweedPerennial0.3 0-0  LMHSNM12 
Stellaria dichotomaAmerican chickweedPerennial0.3 -  LMHSNM02 
Stellaria diversiflora Perennial0.3 -  LMHSNM10 
Stellaria gramineaLesser stitchwortPerennial0.5 4-8 FLMHSNM312
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

Torr.

Botanical References

Links / References

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

Readers comment

   Oct 2 2011 12:00AM

A few notes: 1. This species seems to have been moved to Pseudostellaria jamesiana. See http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PSJA2 2. It has a tradition of medicinal use by Navajo as "Poultice of plant applied to hailstone injuries." See http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Pseudostellaria+jamesiana 3. Jacke & Toensmeier, Edible Forest Gardens volume 1, page 78, describe this as a "shade-tolerant medicinal plant and superfood, its mineral-rich leaves providing healing to all tissues, especially the lungs and skin. Its tasty tubers and lettucelike leaves are also good edibles, while its flowers attract beneficial insects." However, they do not provide a citation for these assertions.

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