Longleaf Starwort
Stellaria longifolia
- Native to:
- Austria, Baltic States, Canada, China, Czechia-Slovakia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuril Is., Labrador, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United States
pellaea (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Caryophyllaceae
- Genus:
- Stellaria
- Species:
- Stellaria longifolia
- USDA Symbol:
- STLO
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 50 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Northern amber (Bombus borealis), Yellow bumble (Bombus fervidus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- small insects
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, nutrient-rich, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in wetlands and along stream banks.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best at cool temperatures after cold stratification. Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Source: Claude AI