Stellaria graminea, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1964, Flora Europaea - Volume 1. Lycopodiaceae to Platanaceae, Cambridge University Press : 135

10. S. graminea L. , Sp. Pl. 422 (1753) .

Perennial; stems up to 90 cm, ascending, weak, diffuse, usually much-branched, quadrangular, smooth. Leaves up to 5 cm, linear- to elliptic-lanceolate, acute, smooth. Inflorescence lax, usually 10 - to 60-flowered; bracts scarious, usually ciliate; flowers 5-12 mm in diameter, very variable. Sepals 3-7 mm, usually ciliate, sometimes pubescent beneath but only near base, glabrous (rarely puberulent) in upper half; petals shorter than or exceeding sepals. 2« = 26. Europe, except the extreme south and many o f the islands. All except Az Bl Cr Fa Sa Sb Si?Tu.

The flowers are large in hermaphrodite plants, and small in partly or completely male-sterile plants.