Stellaria alsine Grimm

Perennial. Stems weak, ascending, 4-angled, glabrous, (8)–10–20–(50) cm long. Lvs green, sessile except on overwintering vegetative shoots, connate in pairs, lanceolate to oblanceolate to narrow-oblong, becoming linear-lanceolate above, tapering gradually to acute apex and glabrous or ciliate base, (5)–8–12–(25) × 2–5–(8) mm; margins usually closely undulate when dry; marginal vein ± distinct. Infl. axillary, cymose, lax, (1)–3–10-flowered. Bracts narrow-lanceolate, not keeled, scarious with green midrib, glabrous, 1.5–3 mm long. Pedicels slender, erecto-patent to patent, glabrous, 8–18 mm long. Sepals narrow-triangular, acute, 3-veined, (2)–2.5–3 mm long; margins scarious, glabrous. Petals < sepals. Stamens 10. Capsule narrow-ovoid, = sepals. Seeds red-brown, c. 0.5 mm long, with very short tubercles.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: (Sep.)–Nov.–Mar.–(May); Fruiting: (Nov.)–Dec.–Mar.–(May)