Stellaria holostea, commonly known as greater stitchwort, is a graceful perennial wildflower native to Europe and western Asia. It is easily recognized by its starry white flowers, each with deeply notched petals that appear like ten rather than five. The plant’s slender, brittle stems inspired the name “stitchwort,” as they were once used in folk remedies for side stitches. Unlike many woodland flowers, it prefers bright, semi-shaded hedgerows and light woodlands, where it forms airy drifts in spring. Its early, abundant blossoms are an important nectar source for small bees, hoverflies, and day-flying moths.
