200 The Flora of Wiltshire. 



Stellakia, (Linn.) Stitchwort. 

 Linn. CI. X. Ord. iii. 

 Name. From stella (Lat.) a star form of flower. 



1. S. media, (Withering) Common Chickweed, intermediate Stitch- 

 wort. Called by Linnaeus, Bauhin, and others, Alsine media as 

 intermediate in size, between Alsine major (Cerastium aqiiaticum) 

 and minor (Arenaria serpyllifolia) the name no longer applicable 

 now its genus is changed, has been unwisely retained by later 

 authors. Engl. Bot. t. 537. Reich. Icones. 222. 



Locality. In rich waste, and cultivated ground, abundant. A. Fl. 

 March, November, Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 



In all the Districts. This verj'^ common plant which grows almost 

 in all situations, from damp and almost boggy meads, to the driest 

 gravel walks in gardens, is consequently subject to great variations 

 in its appearance. Those who have only seen it in its usual state 

 as garden Chickweed would hardly know it again in meads, where 

 it sometimes exceeds half a yard in height, and has leaves near two 

 inches long and more than one inch broad, resembling in its habit 

 the Stellaria nemorum or the Cerastium aquaticum, distinguishable 

 however from the latter by the number of pistils, and from the 

 former by the woolly or hairy ridge extending along the stem. 

 This species is a good pot herb, and small birds are very fond of the 

 seeds. 



2. S. Holostea, (Linn.) Holostea or Greater Stitchwort. Holosteon 

 is the Greek name of some plant derived from (holos) entire, and 

 (osteon) bone, but why applied to our plant except by antiphrasis, 

 is not so clear. Fngl. Bot. t. 511. Reich. Icones, t. 223. 



Locality. Woods, hedges, and bushy places, very common. 

 P. Fl. April, June. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 



Throughout all the Districts, where its brilliant white starry 

 blossoms render it very conspicuous in the spring. Calyx some- 

 times proliferous, as observed by H. F. Talbot, Esq. of Lacock 

 Abbey. 



spreading, and more conspicuous, the sepals sharper, thinner in texture, and more 

 strongly nerved, the capsules smaller in size, less ventricose in shape, and pliant 

 under pressure. It is probably the " Arenaria leptoclados," of Gussone. 



