WHITE CAMPION

Silene latifolia

Carnation & Campion (Pink) Family [Caryophyllaceae]

sex

27th July 2007, Sefton Coastal Path, Nr Formby, Lancs.

Photo: © RWD

Grows up to 18 inches tall amongst grasses.

23rd April 2011, Birkdale Dunes, Sefton Coast.

Photo: © RWD

A partially-opened flower.

24th June 2006, Boat Trip.

Photo: © RWD

The main difference this and between Bladder Campion which is also white is that this has ridges on the enveloping calyx, whereas in Bladder Campion the calyx is inflated and has a net pattern upon it.

27th July 2007, Sefton Coastal Path, Nr Formby, Lancs.

Photo: © RWD

The teeth of the greener calyx are twice as long as those of Red Campion.

5th Aug 2008, Sefton Coastal Path, Nr Formby, Lancs.

Photo: © RWD

The petals are ruffled up. Both the ridges on the calyx and on the stem are covered in hairs.

5th Aug 2008, Sefton Coastal Path, Nr Formby, Lancs.

Photo: © RWD

The petals are so deeply cut as to give the impression of ten petals rather than the truer five.

7th Aug 2007, Martin Mere, Nr Rufford, Lancs.

Photo: © RWD

There is a much shorter inner frilly white 'skirt' at the centre.

23rd April 2011, Birkdale Dunes, Sefton Coast.

Photo: © RWD

Residing within the frill are the stamens with cream-coloured pollen.

27th July 2007, Sefton Coastal Path, Nr Formby, Lancs.

Photo: © RWD

The lower leaves have un-winged stalks, unlike those of Red Campion. Leaves are lanceolate and slightly toothed.

23rd April 2011, Birkdale Dunes, Sefton Coast.

Photo: © RWD

Lower leaves attached in a bunch to the stem without stalks.

Autumn.

The seed capsules at end of season.

Autumn.

Seeds just visible within.

Some similarities to : Bladder Campion and Sea Campion

Hybridizes with : Red Campion to produce Pink Campion Silene dioica × latifolia.

Distinguishing Feature :

The flowers are slightly fragrant at night. Just like Red Campion, it is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants. However, just the same as with Red Campion, the male flowers have a less bulbous calyx with only 10 veins whereas the female flowers have a more bulbous calyx with 20 veins. The flowers of White Campion are expanded and fragrant in the evening. The seed capsule has 10 erect teeth, the same number as Red Campion, but they are not curled over (they are on Red Campion).

Grows in arable fields and other disturbed soils. Ulmost ubiquitous throughout the UK, but avoiding hilly areas.

Silene

latifolia

⇐ Global Aspect ⇒

Caryophyllaceae

Distribution
family8carnation family8campion flower8Caryophyllaceae
BSBI maps

Silene
(Campions)