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greater stitchwort
ExplorePlants
greater stitchwort
Rabelera holostea
Greater stitchwort is a lovely little flower that blooms in spring. It has star-shaped white flowers that can brighten up fields and woods, making them look magical!
Habitat: Woodlands
Appearance
The greater stitchwort has bright green, slender leaves and brittle, square stems. Its distinctive white flowers have five petals, each so deeply notched they appear as ten separate petals, giving them a star-like look.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyCaryophyllaceaeGenusRabelera
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
It's called 'greater' to distinguish it from a smaller plant, the 'lesser stitchwort'!
Its brittle stems often snap with a tiny 'pop', earning it the nickname 'Popper'!
Its delicate flowers have five petals, but each is so deeply split it looks like ten!
Its scientific name 'holostea' means 'all bone' in Greek, describing its fragile stems!
Special abilities
Ability
Explosive Seeds
Greater stitchwort can launch its seeds with explosive capsules, helping them spread far away from the parent plant.
Ability
Climbing Support
Its square stems can lean on surrounding plants for support, allowing it to reach sunlight efficiently.
Ability
Early Bloom
This plant is one of the first to flower in spring, attracting vital early pollinators to its nectar.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 2-3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring_early_summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey bee
Apis mellifera
visits flowers for nectar and pollen
pollinates
Buff-tailed bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
an important early spring visitor
eaten by
Roe deer
Capreolus capreolus
young shoots are often browsed by deer
eaten by
Garden snail
Helix aspersa
snails occasionally feed on its leaves
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't pick flowers, so they can keep growing for everyone to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is greater stitchwort?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on greater stitchwort?
2-3 cm
When does greater stitchwort bloom?
Spring_early_summer
Is greater stitchwort edible?
Yes
Is greater stitchwort toxic?
None
What is greater stitchwort's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is greater stitchwort pollinated?
Insect
Where is greater stitchwort usually found?
Woodlands
Snap Map
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