Greater or lesser stitchwort?

[Paul in Dawlish]

How can I tell the difference. I spent a long time last spring trying to find whether I was seeing one, or both types, but I'm still not completely sure. Is there an easy way of telling the difference? There's lots of stitchwort in the hedgerows now and it looks lovely, but is it greater, or lesser?

Thanks, Paul

[MoonlightWarlock]

If the plant is in flower, look at the petals. The division in the petal of the Lesser extends almost to the base. In Greater, the petals are deeply cleft, but only to about halfway (other differences are in size, sturdiness, preference for acid soil etc).

Hope this makes sense.

[KeenTeen17]

Yeah Greater Stitchwort has a much bigger flower whereas Lesser Stitchwort has a much smaller flower with thinner petals and is an altogether smaller plant.

Greater

Lesser

[leifus]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

Yeah Greater Stitchwort has a much bigger flower whereas Lesser Stitchwort has a much smaller flower with thinner petals and is an altogether smaller plant.

Greater

Lesser

can't get it much clearer than that!

[Paul in Dawlish]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

Yeah Greater Stitchwort has a much bigger flower whereas Lesser Stitchwort has a much smaller flower with thinner petals and is an altogether smaller plant.

Greater

Lesser

Super, thanks. I've been looking for the wrong differences all last year! It's Greater Stitchwort in all the hedgerows; no wonder I couldn't find the difference. Really grateful for the info. I'll search for the lesser version, now I know what to look for!

[dkw]

Teen17, this post has been invaluable for my blog entry on Greater Stitchwort:
Greater Stitchwort Wild Plants
Thanks very much.

Dan

[stevecurtis]

I have never been sure on i.d untill now
thank you.

all the best steve