stitchwort

[ stich-wurt, -wawrt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of several plants belonging to the genus Stellaria, of the pink family, having white flowers.

stitchwort

/ ˈstɪtʃˌwɜːt /

any of several low-growing N temperate herbaceous plants of the caryophyllaceous genus Stellaria, having small white star-shaped flowers

1225–75; Middle English stichewort, Old English sticwyrt agrimony. See stitch, wort ²

C13: so named because it was once thought to be a remedy for stitches in the side

The thorn-trees were all in bloom, and the banks were covered with the white stitchwort and blue speedwell.

Here is blue speedwell and the delicately pencilled stitchwort with its pure snow-white blossoms and delicate green leaves.

Its name, stitchwort, no doubt alludes to the plant's supposed virtue in cases of "stitches" in the side.

In Devonshire the flowers of Stitchwort are known as Pixies.

The stem of the Greater Stitchwort is not very strong, and it has always a line of hard, short bristles, running up each side.

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