ExplorePlants

Moss Campion

silene acaulis

Moss Campion is a tiny, colorful flower that often grows in rocky places. Its bright pink blooms can make a whole hillside look like a fluffy blanket of color!

Habitat: Moss Campion lives in rocky, alpine areas, often found in tundra and mountain regions.

Appearance

The Moss Campion is a low-growing plant forming dense, cushion-like mats of tightly packed green leaves. It produces numerous small, star-shaped flowers, typically bright pink, though sometimes white or pale purple, often appearing directly on the mossy cushion.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyCaryophyllaceaeGenusSilene
Moss Campion
solitary trait badgecolorful trait badgegrassland trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Moss Campion

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

0/5 · No known danger

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

It helps tiny insects and other plants by creating warm, sheltered mini-homes.

Its flowers sometimes change from bright pink to pale white depending on the local temperature!

Some Moss Campion cushions are over 100 years old! Talk about ancient plants!

These hardy plants can grow closer to mountain tops than most other flowering plants!

Special abilities

Ability

Arctic Blanket

Moss Campion grows in dense, cushion-like mats, trapping warmth and sheltering itself from harsh winds in its cold mountain home.

Ability

Rock Gripper

It sends down long taproots to anchor itself securely in shallow, rocky soils, preventing it from being blown away.

Ability

Speedy Sprinter

Moss Campion can quickly burst into bloom during short arctic and alpine summers to ensure it produces seeds.

Ability

Frost Fighter

Its cells contain natural compounds that act like antifreeze, allowing it to survive freezing temperatures.

Measurements & details

Height
5-15 cm
Spread
10-50 cm
Flower Size
1-2 cm
Bloom Season
Summer
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Arctic Bumblebee

Bombus polaris

Main pollinator in Arctic environments.

pollinates

Green-veined White

Pieris napi

Attracted to its bright flowers for nectar.

eaten by

Reindeer

Rangifer tarandus

A food source for grazing herbivores.

eaten by

Tundra Vole

Microtus oeconomus

Voles may browse its leaves and stems.

shelters

Narrow-headed Ant

Formica exsecta

Ants may nest within the protective cushion.

Traits

Also known as

Moss Pink

Collections

Safety

Danger

0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Moss Campion?

5-15 cm

How wide does Moss Campion spread?

10-50 cm

How big are the flowers on Moss Campion?

1-2 cm

When does Moss Campion bloom?

Summer

Is Moss Campion edible?

Yes

Is Moss Campion toxic?

None

What is Moss Campion's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Moss Campion pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Where to spot

More Plants