Prickly starwort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prickly starwort |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Stellaria
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| Species: |
pungens
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Stellaria pungens, also known as prickly starwort, is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family, which includes many types of pinks and carnations. This plant is special because it's endemic to eastern Australia, meaning it only grows naturally in that part of the world! It's a small plant that spreads out like a mat, with pretty white flowers shaped like stars and small, bright green leaves that have a sharp point.
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What Does Prickly Starwort Look Like?
Prickly starwort is a plant that grows low to the ground, often spreading out like a mat. It's a perennial plant, which means it lives for more than two years. Its stems can be smooth or have a few hairs.
Leaves and Stems
The leaves of the prickly starwort grow opposite each other on the stem. They are bright green and shaped like a narrow egg. Each leaf is about 5–10 mm (0.20–0.39 in) long and about 2 mm (0.079 in) wide at its base. They don't have a stalk, so they sit directly on the stem. The leaves are a bit stiff and curve slightly upwards. They also have hairy edges and end in a sharp point.
Flowers and Fruit
The flowers are shaped like stars and are white. Each flower has five petals, but they are so deeply split that they look like ten petals! Each petal can be up to 9 mm (0.35 in) long. The flowers also have ten dark parts called anthers, which hold the pollen.
These star-shaped flowers grow one by one at the end of the stems. They can also appear where the leaves meet the stem. Each flower sits on a small stalk called a pedicel, which can be 5–30 mm (0.20–1.18 in) long. The green leaf-like parts under the petals, called sepals, are about the same length as the petals. They have pointed tips and thin, dry edges.
After the flower blooms, it forms a dry, egg-shaped fruit called a capsule. This capsule can be up to 8 mm (0.31 in) long. Prickly starwort usually flowers from October to December.
Where Does Its Name Come From?
The scientific name Stellaria pungens was first officially described in 1834. A scientist named Adolphe-Théodore Brongniart gave it this name. He wrote about it in a book called Voyage Autour du Monde. Botanique.
Where Does Prickly Starwort Grow?
Prickly starwort is a fairly common plant in eastern Australia. You can often find it growing in places that are steep, rocky, or shaded. It likes to live in woodlands. This plant grows in several Australian states, including New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia.
