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bladder campion

Silene vulgaris

Bladder campion is a pretty flower that grows in fields and meadows. It has unique balloon-like seed pods that look like tiny balloons, making it fun to spot!

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The bladder campion has delicate white flowers with petals deeply notched, giving them a frilly look. Its most distinctive feature is the inflated, balloon-like calyx (the papery structure behind the petals) which is pale green or purplish, making it visually distinct from other wildflowers.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyCaryophyllaceaeGenusSilene

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

20

Interesting facts

In some parts of Italy, people gather the young leaves and shoots to cook and eat them like spinach or asparagus!

Its scientific name, *Silene*, might come from Silenus, a portly figure in Greek mythology, just like the flower's puffy shape!

The pretty white petals of this flower are deeply split, making them look like ten separate petals, but there are actually only five!

You might hear its dried seeds rattle inside the papery 'bladder' if you shake it, making a tiny natural maraca!

Special abilities

Ability

Puffy Protection

Bladder campion has an inflated, papery calyx that helps protect its developing seeds from some insects and adverse weather conditions.

Ability

Moth Magnet

This plant's flowers release a stronger, sweet fragrance at night to attract nocturnal pollinators like moths, ensuring successful reproduction.

Ability

Survivor Seed

Bladder campion seeds can remain viable in the soil for many years, allowing the plant to regrow after disturbances and colonize new areas.

Measurements & details

Height
30-90 cm
Spread
20-45 cm
Flower Size
1.5-2.5 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to late summer
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

Pollinates

Buff-tailed Bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

Visits flowers for nectar and pollen

Pollinates

Elephant Hawk-moth

Deilephila elpenor

Feeds on nectar, especially at night

Eaten by

European Rabbit

Oryctolagus cuniculus

Browses on young leaves and shoots

Eaten by

Roe Deer

Capreolus capreolus

Graze on the foliage

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch wild flowers, as some can be harmful.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify bladder campion?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is bladder campion?

30-90 cm

How wide does bladder campion spread?

20-45 cm

How big are the flowers on bladder campion?

1.5-2.5 cm

When does bladder campion bloom?

Late spring to late summer

Is bladder campion edible?

Yes

Is bladder campion toxic?

None

What is bladder campion's lifecycle?

Perennial

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