tuber starwort
Stellaria jamesiana

Family: Caryophyllaceae

What it is like

Stellaria jamesiana is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.5

Where it is found

Moist woodland amongst shrubs, westwards from Wyoming and Texas.

Western N. America.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Young leaves - raw or cooked. Root - raw or cooked. Sweet and pleasant.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 0

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy outdoors in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of the country. Prefers a moist loamy site. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread. The root pattern is tuberous with swollen potato-like roots .

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Although no mention has been seen for this species, the leaves of some members of this genus contain saponins. Although toxic, these substances are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm. They are also broken down by thorough cooking. Saponins are found in many plants, including several that are often used for food, such as certain beans. It is advisable not to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish. Stellaria jamesiana Torr. is a synonym of Pseudostellaria jamesiana (Torr.) W.A. Weber & R.L. Hartm.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Alsine curtisii. Alsine jamesiana. Alsine glutinosa. Alsine jamesii. Pseudostellaria jamesiana