Finnstjerneblom
Stellaria fennica
Stellaria fennica is a delicate perennial herb in the carnation family, characterized by small white star-shaped flowers and narrow linear leaves. This low-growing plant forms sparse mats in specialized northern habitats and plays a minor but important role in supporting pollinators during its brief flowering period in late spring to early summer.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Caryophyllales
Family
Caryophyllaceae
Genus
Stellaria
Finnstjerneblom belongs to the family Caryophyllaceae, order Caryophyllales, within the Magnoliopsida class.
Species Profile
Stellaria fennica is a delicate perennial herb in the carnation family, characterized by small white star-shaped flowers and narrow linear leaves. This low-growing plant forms sparse mats in specialized northern habitats and plays a minor but important role in supporting pollinators during its brief flowering period in late spring to early summer.
Stellaria fennica faces severe threats primarily from habitat loss due to agricultural intensification and urban development in its limited range. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it highly vulnerable to local environmental changes and human activities. Climate change may further exacerbate these pressures by altering suitable habitat conditions.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Stellaria fennica occurs in moist, nutrient-poor sandy or gravelly soils along northern coastlines and lake shores. The species is typically found in areas with seasonal flooding or high groundwater, often in partially shaded locations near the edges of boreal forests.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Stellaria fennica faces severe threats primarily from habitat loss due to agricultural intensification and urban development in its limited range. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it highly vulnerable to local environmental changes and human activities. Climate change may further exacerbate these pressures by altering suitable habitat conditions.
Extremely small population size and restricted range
Habitat loss from agricultural intensification
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
Climate change impacts on habitat suitability
Potential genetic bottlenecks due to isolation
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Finnstjerneblom (Stellaria fennica). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/finnstjerneblom