Stellaria holostea, commonly known as greater stitchwort, is a perennial wildflower native to Europe and western Asia. It is recognized by its star-shaped white flowers, whose deeply divided petals create the illusion of ten petals instead of five, and by its slender, brittle stems. The name “stitchwort” comes from a traditional belief that the plant could relieve the sharp pain of a side stitch, although there is no scientific evidence for this use. Blooming in spring, it is a familiar sight along woodland edges and hedgerows, where its bright flowers bring light to the forest floor before the tree canopy fully develops.
