Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Star-Grass

STAR-GRASS, or Callitriche, L. a genus of plants, consisting of four species, two of which are indigenous, namely: 1. The verna, Vernal Star-grass, Water-Starwort, Water-Fennel, or Star-headed Water-Chickweed, grows in ditches, ponds, and slow streams: it flowers from April to August. 2. The autumnalis, or Autumnal Star-grass, abounds in ditches and still waters, where it flowers in August.

Both these vegetables grow so thickly matted together, as to enable a person to walk over them, without sinking: hence, they may be advantageously planted, with a view to consolidate swampy, or marshy grounds, so as to prepare them for tillage.