Stellaria umbellata Turcz. ex Kar. & Kir.
umbellate starwort (umbrella starwort)
Caryophyllaceae (Pink family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Ryan Batten     (Photo ID #66729)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Stellaria umbellata
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

Species Information

General:
Perennial herb from a slender rhizome; forming small clumps or mats; stems erect or ascending, several, branched, glabrous, 5-30 cm tall.
Leaves:
Basal leaves lacking; stem leaves opposite, oblong to linear-lanceolate, 5-25 mm long, 2-5 mm wide, unstalked, glabrous or sometimes fringed at the base, margins curly; stipules lacking.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of 2 to numerous flowers in terminal and axillary umbel-like clusters; petals reduced or more usually lacking; sepals 5, lanceolate, 2-3 mm long, 3-nerved.
Fruits:
Capsules straw-coloured, egg-shaped, 3-4.5 mm long, 6- to 8-valved; seeds brown, 0.5-0.7 mm long, lightly roughened.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

USDA Species Characteristics

Flower Colour:
White
Blooming Period:
Summer
Fruit/Seed characteristics:
Colour: Brown
Present over the Summer
Source:  The USDA

Ecology

Ecological Framework for Stellaria umbellata

The table below shows the species-specific information calculated from
original data (BEC database) provided by the BC Ministry of Forests and Range.
(Updated August, 2013)

Site Information
Value / Class

Avg

Min

Max

Elevation (metres)
1643 680 2042
Slope Gradient (%)
4 0 15

Aspect (degrees)
[0 - N; 90 - E; 180 - S; 270 - W]

246 240 254
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
[0 - very xeric; 4 - mesic;
8 - hydric]
5 5 7
Modal Nutrient Regime
Class
D
# of field plots
 species was recorded in:
4
Modal BEC Zone Class
ESSF

All BEC Zones (# of stations/zone) species was recorded in

BWBS(1), ESSF(3)

Habitat and Range

Moist meadows, streambanks and open forests in the montane to alpine zones; rare in SW, N and SC BC; circumpolar, N to AK, E to AB and S to MT, CO and CA; Eurasia.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Alsine baicalensis Coville
Stellaria gonomischa B. Boivin
Stellaria weberi B. Boivin