WAYSIDES AND WASTES IN SPRING 



87 



are so deeply cleft that the flower, at first sight, appears to possess 

 ten instead of five. 



The Lesser Stitchwort (S. graminea) is a very similar flower, 

 common in dry places, blooming from May to August. The plant 

 is smooth, and does not possess the glaucous hue of the last species. 

 The stem is very straggling and slender, from one to three feet 



THE Greater Stitchwort. 



long ; and the leaves are grasslike, sessile, and acute. The flowers 

 are very similar to those of the Greater Stitchw^ort, but are smaller. 

 The sepals have each three veins, and are as long as the petals. 



The Little Chickweed {S. media), so troublesome in our gardens, 

 belongs to the same genus. Its decumbent, branching stem has 

 a longitudinal line of haks placed alternately on opposite sides 

 from joint to joint ; and its ovate, smooth, succulent leaves are 

 shortly pointed, the lower ones having hairy stalks. The Httle 

 starlike, white flowers grow from the axils of the leaves, and have 



