Stellaria nepalensis - Nepal Chickweed

Nepal Chickweed is a perennial herb with stems prostrate, clustered, 10-30 cm long. Leaves are shortly stalked or stalkless, broadly ovate or ovate, 0.5-1.5 x 0.4-1.3 cm, below sparsely adpressed hairy, midvein prominent, above hairless, base heart-shaped, margin fringed with hairs, tip pointed. Flowers arise 1-3 in leaf-axils, caried on rather long stalks, 1.5-5 cm. Petals are 5, slightly longer than sepals, 2-parted nearly to base; petals lanceshaped. Stamens are 10, anthers purplish, styles 3, about 3 mm, thread-like. Sepals are 5, lanceshaped, 5-7 x 1-1.5 mm, base rounded, margin membranous, tip pointed. Bracts are lanceshaped or ovate-lanceshaped, 3-4 x 0.5-1 mm, herbaceous. Capsules are ovoid, 7-8 mm, 6-valved. Nepal Chickweed is found in Central & E. Himalaya to Tibet, at altitudes of 2500-3100 m. Flowering: June-July.