Stitchwort, Bog

Information on Bog Stitchwort

Common Name: Bog Stitchwort
Scientific Name: Stellaria alsine
Irish Name: Tursarraing mhóna
Family Group: Caryophyllaceae
Distribution: View Map (Courtesy of the BSBI)
Flowering Period


Click for list of all flowering by month
Bog Stitchwort is not easily confused with other wild plants on this web site.


This perennial is found throughout the country in bogs and ditches, by streams and other damp places, this is a very tiny, straggly wildflower which barely exceeds 25 cm high. It has square stems, unstalked, oval, blue-green leaves and its small white flowers (5–6 mm across) have widely separated, deeply divided, pointed petals. The sepals are longer than the petals which is a helpful means towards identification. It flowers from May to August, is a native plant which was formerly known as Stellaria uliginosa, and it belongs to the Caryophyllaceaefamily.

My first record of this plant is in 2006 near Laragh, Co Wicklow at which time I also photographed it.   

If you are satisfied you have correctly identified this plant, please submit your sighting to the National Biodiversity Data Centre

Stitchwort, Bog
Stitchwort, Bog
Stitchwort, Bog