red campion

Silene dioica

Red campion is a pretty flower with bright pink petals that bloom in spring and summer. It loves to grow in meadows and woodlands, adding color to nature's canvas.

Habitat: Woodlands

Appearance

The red campion has vibrant, rosy-pink flowers with five deeply notched petals that often look like ten. Its stems are hairy and reddish, giving the plant a slightly fuzzy appearance, distinguishing it from other similar pink wildflowers.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyCaryophyllaceaeGenusSilene

red campion

Interesting facts

Its 'campion' name likely comes from 'champion,' referring to flowers given to victors.

Look closely! Some plants only have male flowers, while others have only female flowers.

Red campion flowers smell sweetest in the evening to attract night-flying pollinators.

Tiny seeds escape from a capsule that looks like a miniature crown when ripe.

Special abilities

Red campion has separate male and female plants, allowing for diverse genetic mixing that helps it adapt to new environments.

Red campion's stems are covered in fine hairs, acting like a tiny shield that helps protect it from hungry insects.

Red campion flowers offer nectar in the evening too, attracting both day-flying insects and nocturnal moths.

Measurements & details

Height: 30-90 cm
Spread: 30-50 cm
Flower Size: 1.5-2.5 cm
Bloom Season: Late spring to late summer
Is Edible: No
Toxicity: Mild
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honeybee

Apis mellifera

Drinks nectar and collects pollen.

pollinates

Buff-tailed bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

Drinks nectar and helps spread pollen.

pollinates

Lychnis moth

Hadena bicruris

Visits flowers for nectar, aiding reproduction.

parasitizes

Anther smut fungus

Microbotryum violaceum

Infects the flowers, altering their appearance.

Traits

Herbaceous

These amazing plants have soft, green stems that typically die back to the ground each year, making way for fresh new growth when the time is right.

Flowering

These are the plants that produce beautiful blossoms, attracting pollinators and adding splashes of color to our world. Each flower is a tiny marvel!

Shade Tolerant

Discover plants that love to live in the shadows, growing beautifully and happily even in spots where the sun doesn't shine all day long.

Spring Blooming

Celebrate the arrival of warmer weather with these cheerful plants that burst into beautiful flowers as spring awakens the world.

Summer Blooming

Enjoy the sunny days with these vibrant plants that show off their stunning flowers all through the warmest months, adding color to the long summer days.

Fragrant Flower

Discover flowers that release delightful scents into the air, enchanting our senses and attracting helpful insects. Take a moment to enjoy their sweet perfume!

Colorful

Discover amazing plants and animals that show off a dazzling array of bright and beautiful hues! They use their vibrant colors to attract attention or send signals.

Grassland

These wide-open spaces are covered in grasses, often home to grazing animals and incredible predators! Experience the vastness of the plains.

Pollinator Magnet

Discover plants that are irresistible to our pollinator friends! These beauties are super attractive to bees, butterflies, and other helpful creatures, creating a buzzing hub of activity.