Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Caryophyllales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Caryophyllaceae
Genus
Stellaria L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Stellaria gracilenta Hook.f., Bot. Antarct. Voy. II (Fl. Nov.-Zel.) Part II, 326 (1855)
Vernacular Name(s):
Slender chickweed
 Description

Wiry perennial. Stems decumbent to ascending, terete, with uniform sparse to dense fine hairs, rarely glabrous, (2)–5–15–(30) cm long. Lvs yellowish green, sessile, linear to subulate, acute, connate in pairs, ciliate near base, 3–8 × 0.5–0.7 mm; lf axil often containing a reduced leafy shoot. Fls solitary, long-pedunculate. Bracts 2, linear to lanceolate, acute, 2–4 mm long; margins scarious. Peduncle erect, (20)–30–60 mm long. Sepals ovate, acute, not veined, (2.5)–3–5 mm long, glabrous; margins scarious. Petals = or > sepals. Stamens 10. Capsule ovoid, = calyx. Seeds pale brown, 0.8–1 mm long; papillae narrow, pale.

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

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Oct.–Feb.; Fruiting: (Oct.)–Jan.–Mar.–(Jun.)

 Bibliography
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Not Threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Not Threatened]
Hooker, J.D. 1854–1855: The Botany of the Antarctic Voyage of H.M. Discovery Ships Erebus and Terror, in the years 1839–1843, under the command of Captain Sir James Clark Ross. II. Flora Novae-Zelandiae. Part II. Flowerless plants. Lovell Reeve, London.