Stellaria graminea aka Common Stitchwort

Stellaria graminea belongs to the pink family, Caryophyllaceae. It is a perennial, so it lives for years. People call it lesser stitchwort, small starwort, and lesser chickweed. Its native range runs from Europe to Siberia and the Himalaya. It is native to Britain and Ireland. It grows in regions with a temperate climate. Records place it in fields and along roadsides. It also grows on other disturbed ground, along trails, and in gravel pits.

In gardens, it grows about 0.3–1.6 feet (0.1–0.5 metres) tall. Its spread falls within the same range. Thin shoots grow from a creeping rootstock and break with ease. Its narrow leaves have a lance shape. It has soft stems and sheds its leaves for winter. Its creeping growth can spread beyond where you first plant it. It takes two to five years to reach full size.

Loose groups of white, star-shaped flowers emerge in late spring. The plant keeps blooming through summer. Its blooms give this modest plant much of its garden value. Plants For A Future lists it as useful for bees. The flowers offer nectar and pollen to small bees and flies. Meadows and wild gardens give it room to spread. It also suits cottage gardens, informal beds, and flower borders.

Grow it in full sun and moist soil that drains well. RHS lists chalk, loam, and sand as soils that suit it. It grows in acid, neutral, and alkaline soil. Both open and sheltered sites suit it. RHS gives it the very hardy UK rating H7. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 4–8. It needs no pruning and has few pest or disease problems. Sow seed in spring under a cold frame or cool greenhouse. Move seedlings to their own pots once large enough. Plant them outdoors in summer. Think about its spread when you choose a site. Reports note that it can become a weed.

Young leaves and shoots have food uses, but safety limits matter. Plants For A Future describes eating them in salads or lightly cooked. It lists spring through summer as the time to harvest. The leaves contain compounds called saponins. Do not eat large servings. Cooking them well breaks down these compounds. The source links eating too much with a report of paralysis. It also warns against use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. These cautions mean its food uses do not make all use safe.