Common Water-Starwort

(Callitriche stagnalis)

Common Water-Starwort (Callitriche stagnalis)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Callitriche stagnalis, commonly known as Common Water-starwort, is a perennial aquatic herb native to a wide range of freshwater habitats in Europe and North Africa, including still or slow-moving waters such as ponds, lakes, ditches, and streams. It is often found in shallow, nutrient-rich waters and can tolerate brackish conditions, which is why it is sometimes present in salt marshes. This plant typically forms dense mats of vegetation that can cover the water’s surface.

Common Water-starwort is valued for its use in water gardens and ponds for its ability to oxygenate water and provide habitat for aquatic wildlife. It has a creeping growth habit with stems that can reach up to 70 cm long. The leaves are variable in shape, with submerged leaves being linear and thread-like, while floating leaves are broader. It does not produce showy flowers; instead, it has small, inconspicuous greenish flowers that appear from April to September. In cultivation, it requires an aquatic environment and can be grown in full sun to part shade. It is relatively low maintenance but can become invasive if not controlled, as it reproduces both vegetatively and through prolific seed production. It can be problematic if it escapes into natural waterways outside its native range, where it can outcompete native species and alter aquatic ecosystems.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 0.5-1 feet
  • Width: 0.5-1 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: Green
  • Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous, Semi-deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
  • Water: High, Aquatic
  • Drainage: Standing

Common Uses

Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

Freshwater habitats including still or slow-moving waters such as ponds, lakes, ditches, and streams, and sometimes in brackish conditions of salt marshes

Other Names

Common Names: Pond Water-starwort, Common Starwort, Common Water-Starwort, Starwort, Water Chickweed

Scientific Names: , Callitriche stagnalis, Callitriche aeolica, Callitriche aestivalis, Callitriche aquatica subsp. stagnalis, Callitriche dioica, Callitriche minor, Callitriche palustris subsp. stagnalis, Callitriche platycarpa var. serpyllifolia, Callitriche platycarpa var. stagnalis

GBIF Accepted Name: