Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Caryophyllales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Caryophyllaceae
Genus
Stellaria L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Stellaria parviflora Hook.f., Bot. Antarct. Voy. II. (Fl. Nov.-Zel.) Part I, 25 (1852)
Synonymy:
  • = Stellaria minuta Kirk, Stud. Fl. New Zealand 57 (1899)
Vernacular Name(s):
new zealand chickweed
 Description

Slender annual or perennial herb. Stems prostrate, ascending, terete, glabrous, (5)–10–20–(50) cm long. Lvs green; marginal vein distinct; lamina glabrous, broadly ovate to orbicular, rarely lanceolate, apiculate, truncate at base, (3)–5–10–(20) × (3)–5–10–(20) mm; petiole < lamina, glabrous or ciliate. Infl. 1–(2)-flowered. Bracts scarious, ovate, c. 1 mm long. Pedicels ascending, to 15 mm. Sepals narrow-lanceolate, acute, 2–3–(3.5) mm long, not veined; margins scarious, glabrous. Petals much < sepals or 0. Stamens 5–10. Capsule ovoid, = or slightly > calyx. Seeds dull dark brown, 0.8–1.2 mm long; papillae low, rounded, broader than long.

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

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Non-endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: (Sep.)–Oct.–Jan.–(Mar.); Fruiting: (Sep.)–Dec.–Feb.–(Apr.)

 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. 1852–1853 ("1853"): 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 I. Flowering plants. Lovell Reeve, London.
Kirk,T. 1899: The Students' Flora of New Zealand and the Outlying Islands. Government Printer, Wellington, N.Z.