Stellaria pungens
prickly starwort
Overview
Stellaria pungens is a sprawling perennial herb with weak, branching stems 4-16 inches (10-40 cm) long that scramble through grass and over the ground. The narrow leaves are 0.4-1 inch (1-2.5 cm) long, stiff and tapering to a sharp, prickly point, arranged in opposite pairs. White star-shaped flowers about 0.6-0.8 inch (1.5-2 cm) across are held singly on thin stalks; each has five petals so deeply notched that the flower appears to have ten narrow lobes. Flowering occurs mainly in spring and summer. The plant forms loose, low patches and can root at the lower nodes where stems rest on moist soil. It grows in forest, woodland, and grassland from the lowlands to subalpine areas, dying back in hard frost and drought and regrowing from the base.
Native Range
Native to southeastern Australia, in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory, and South Australia. Grows in open forest, woodland, grassland, and subalpine herbfields on moist, well-drained soils, often among rocks and grasses.Suggested Uses
Grown in rockeries, cottage and native gardens, and among grasses in meadow plantings, spaced 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) apart. Suits cool, moist, partly shaded spots, including mountain gardens. Its scrambling stems weave through neighbouring low plants rather than forming a tight clump.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'4"
Width/Spread8" - 1'4"
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to part shade in moist, well-drained soil and tolerates cool mountain conditions. Water through spring and summer to keep soil moist; the plant dies back in extended drought and regrows from the base. It scrambles through grasses and can root where stems touch moist ground, forming loose patches. Frost-hardy at the crown to about 14°F (-10°C), with foliage cut back by hard frost. Slugs and snails may feed on young growth in damp weather. Plants can be divided in spring or raised from seed.Pruning
Straggly stems are trimmed back in late winter to tidy the patch before new growth. Spent flowering stems can be cut to limit self-seeding. No other pruning is needed.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons