Greater Stitchwort- is it edible?

[jon r]

i have found references saying that the vegetative shoots of Lesser Stitchwort are edible like in the Ray Mears Wild Food book. But is the Greater Stitchwort edible too? They both seem pretty similar...

 

[listenclear]

I just checked my Edmund Launert: Edible and Medicinal Plants of Britain and Northern Europe and there is no reference to it for either use. Again only references the common/lesser variety. Although the book isn't completely comprehensive it's generally pretty good.
From that (and nothing on a quick google search) i would say no.
However, I am a complete novice so you never know your luck...

 

[ged]

...is the Greater Stitchwort edible too?

I think it depends on what you mean by 'edible'. I don't think it's toxic. I've seen references to its use as a treatment for stomach pain (but none to a cure for anything). Nothing for culinary use. There isn't much meat on one anyway. Apparently it was supposed to rain if you pick them, or some such twaddle.

 

[richardathome]

Bit late to the show, but:

It is edible, see: http://paulkirtley.co.uk/2011/greater-stitchwort-stellaria-holostea/

As is the visually similar Common Chickweed and Common Mouse Ear.