Stellaria alsine - Bog Stitchwort

Family:	Caryophyllaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.3
Synonyms:	S. uliginosa.
Range:	Most of Europe, including Britain, to temperate Asia and N. America.

Stellaria alsine (Bog Stitchwort) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.3m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
Bog Stitchwort will flower in November to December. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Bog Stitchwort will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Bog Stitchwort prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Bog Stitchwort can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Streamsides, flushes, wet tracks and woodland ridges[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

Prefers a moist soil.

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Young leaves and shoots - raw or cooked[105, 177].

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 2/5
The whole plant is carminative, depurative and galactogogue[147, 218, 240]. It promotes hydrosis[147]. A decoction is used as an antidote against snakebite, in the treatment of colds, traumatic injuries and pimples[147, 218, 240]. The fresh herb can be crushed for external application[147].

• Antidote - Counters poisoning.
• Carminative - Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.
• Depurative - Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.
• Galactogogue - Promotes the flow of milk in a nursing mother.
• Miscellany - Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ.

Known Hazards

Although no mention has been seen for this species, the leaves of some members of this genus contain saponins. Although toxic, these substances are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm. They are also broken down by thorough cooking. Saponins are found in many plants, including several that are often used for food, such as certain beans. It is advisable not to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

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