British Wild Flowers: A photographic guide to every common species. Paul Sterry

      Spring Sandwort

Spring Sandwort Minuartia verna (Caryophyllaceae) HEIGHT to 10cm

      Slightly downy perennial that is characteristic of bare limestone soils or spoil from lead-mines. FLOWERS White, 5-petalled, 7–9mm across (May–Sep). Green sepals shorter than petals. FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Narrow, 3-veined; in whorls on slender stems. STATUS Local and extremely habitat-specific.

      Cyphel

      Cyphel Minuartia sedoides (Caryophyllaceae) HEIGHT to 3cm

      Distinctive, cushion-forming perennial of damp, stony ground on mountain tops. FLOWERS Yellow, 4mm across; lacking petals (June–Aug). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Narrow, fleshy, densely packed. STATUS Restricted to mountains in the Scottish Highlands and a few Scottish islands.

      Sea Sandwort

      Sea Sandwort Honckenya peploides (Caryophyllaceae) PROSTRATE

      Mat-forming perennial that is familiar on stabilised coastal shingle and sandy beaches. FLOWERS Greenish white, 6–8mm across (May–Aug). Petals slightly shorter than sepals. FRUITS Yellowish green, pea-like. LEAVES Oval, fleshy; in opposite pairs on creeping stems. STATUS Locally common around coasts.

      Greater Stitchwort

      Greater Stitchwort Stellaria holostea (Caryophyllaceae) HEIGHT to 50cm

      Familiar perennial of open woodland, woodland rides and hedgerows. Note rough-edged stems. FLOWERS White, with 5 notched petals; on slender stems (Apr–June). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Narrow, fresh green, rough-edged and grass-like; easily overlooked in the absence of flowers. STATUS Widespread and common.

      Marsh Stitchwort

      Marsh Stitchwort Stellaria palustris (Caryophyllaceae) HEIGHT to 60cm

      Rather straggly perennial of fens and marshes. Similar to Greater Stitchwort but with smooth stems and smooth-edged leaves. FLOWERS White, 12–20mm across, with 5 deeply notched petals (May–Aug). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Grey-green, narrow. STATUS Extremely local.

       See also Arctic Sandwort

Pink Family Caryophyllaceae

      Bog Stitchwort

      Lesser Stitchwort

      Lesser Stitchwort Stellaria graminea HEIGHT to 50cm

      Perennial of open woodland, meadows and hedgerows, mainly on acid soils. Note smooth-edged stems. FLOWERS White, 5–15mm across, with 5 deeply divided petals (May–Aug). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Long, narrow, smooth-edged and grass-like. STATUS Widespread and common throughout. Bog Stitchwort S. alsine is similar but tiny and straggling. Flowers 5–7mm across, petals deeply divided and shorter than sepals (May–June). Widespread in damp places.

      Burbidge, Brinsley

      Wood Stitchwort

      Wood Stitchwort Stellaria nemorum HEIGHT to 60cm

      Rather straggly perennial with hairy stems. Found in damp woodland. FLOWERS White, 15–20mm across, the petals deeply divided into narrow lobes (May–Aug). Petals twice as long as sepals. FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Oval, pointed; the lower ones stalked, the upper ones sessile. STATUS Widespread but local.

      Common Chickweed

      Common Chickweed Stellaria media HEIGHT to 30cm

      Annual of disturbed ground. Sometimes prostrate. Stems hairy in lines on alternate sides between leaf nodes. FLOWERS White, 5-petalled, 5–10mm across; 3–8 stamens (Jan–Dec). FRUITS Capsules on long, drooping stalks. LEAVES Oval, fresh green and opposite; upper ones unstalked. STATUS Widespread and common.

      Greater Chickweed

      Greater Chickweed Stellaria neglecta HEIGHT to 50cm

      Annual or short-lived perennial of damp, shady ground. Similar to Common Chickweed but more robust. Stems hairy in lines on alternate sides between leaf nodes. FLOWERS White, 5-petalled, 10–12mm across; 10 stamens (Apr–July). FRUITS Capsules. LEAVES Oval, in opposite pairs. STATUS Local.

      Common