Bog stitchwort facts for kids

Minuartia stricta is a small flowering plant. It is also known by common names like bog stitchwort, Teesdale sandwort, and rock sandwort. This plant belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family, which includes many types of flowers. It grows in the northern parts of the world, from cold Arctic areas to high mountains.

What is Bog Stitchwort?

The bog stitchwort is a tiny plant that grows close to the ground. It is a perennial herb, meaning it lives for more than two years. It forms small mats, usually only a few centimeters tall. Its leaves are like thin needles, green or sometimes a bit purplish. They are very small, less than a centimeter long and super thin.

What Does It Look Like?

The plant has thin stems that stand upright. On these stems, you'll find tiny flowers. These flowers have pointed sepals, which are like small leaves that protect the flower bud. The sepals are only a few millimeters long. Interestingly, these flowers often don't have petals, or if they do, the petals are very tiny and don't stick out much.

Where Does Bog Stitchwort Live?

This plant has a "circumboreal distribution." This means it lives all around the northern parts of the world. You can find it in the coldest parts of the Arctic and in high mountain areas. It grows in places like meadows, wet marshes, and even on beaches. It also thrives in very cold, treeless areas called tundra.

Why Is It Special?

The bog stitchwort is important enough that it became a protected species in the United Kingdom in 1975. This protection came under a special law called the Conservation of Wild Creatures and Wild Plants Act. Being a protected species means it's against the law to pick or damage these plants. This helps make sure they can continue to grow and thrive in their natural homes.