Some similarities to : Red Campion and to Corncockle, all members of the same family.

Uniquely identifiable characteristics

Distinguishing Feature :

No relation to : any Roses [plants with similar name]

The Genus Lychnis is now subsumed within the Genus Silene, thus Ragged-Robin and Rose Campion are now seen as Campions.

The casual observer is more likely to find Rose Campion growing in someones' garden than wild. It is a biennial, being mostly leafy in the first year with perhaps only a few flowers, and flowering profusely in the second before setting seed in the winter. By the third season it is in decline but will have sown seeds about the location to succeed it.

Apart from the petals, the whole plant has longish white hairs, appearing greyish green. It self-seeds readily and prolifically.

The five petals are half-way between red and purple, being neither in particular. The flowers reputedly open up one at a time and for but one day only, although your author is not convinced that this is so.

The following paragraph is now obsolete, seeing as the Genus Lychnis as been subsumed into the Genus Silene (Campions): The felt-like leaves were formerly used for lamp wicks, hence the scientific name 'Lychnis' derived from the Ancient Greek word for 'lamp'.