Sweet William
ExplorePlants
Sweet William
Silene armeria L.
Sweet William is a colorful flower that blooms in clusters, attracting butterflies and bees. It comes in various shades like pink, purple, and white, adding beauty to gardens.
Habitat: Gardens
Appearance
The Sweet William has striking clusters of small, bright pink to magenta flowers, often featuring a white eye, perched atop slender, somewhat sticky stems. Its flat-topped floral arrangement makes it visually distinct from similar wildflowers.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyCaryophyllaceaeGenusAtocion
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Despite its delicate look, it loves to grow in tough, rocky soils where others struggle!
It is sometimes called "Catchfly" because its stems can feel sticky, like a bug trap!
Its scientific name, *Silene*, comes from a Greek word meaning "moon goddess."
Sweet William flowers have a faint, sweet scent, especially noticeable on warm summer days.
Special abilities
Ability
Sticky Defense
Sweet William has sticky stems that can trap small insects, helping protect the plant from some pests.
Ability
Seed Spreader
This plant can produce many tiny seeds, allowing it to easily spread and grow in new places.
Ability
Pollinator Beacon
Sweet William's vibrant, clustered flowers act like a beacon, attracting many bees and butterflies to help it reproduce.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 20-60 cm
- Spread
- 15-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-1.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Biennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
gathers nectar and pollen
pollinates
Buff-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
collects pollen and nectar
eaten by
Green Peach Aphid
Myzus persicae
sucks sap from leaves and stems
eaten by
Spanish Slug
Arion lusitanicus
grazes on foliage, especially seedlings
Traits
Ornamental
Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
Biennial
Biennial plants complete their life cycle over two growing seasons, typically forming foliage in the first year and flowering/seeding in the second.
Cluster Flower
Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Also known as
Chinese PinkDianthus barbatus
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Enjoy the beauty of Sweet William from a safe distance and avoid touching or picking the flowers without permission.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Sweet William?
The easiest way to identify Sweet William is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Sweet William?
20-60 cm
How wide does Sweet William spread?
15-30 cm
How big are the flowers on Sweet William?
1-1.5 cm
When does Sweet William bloom?
Summer
Is Sweet William edible?
No
Is Sweet William toxic?
Mild
What is Sweet William's lifecycle?
Biennial
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
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Recent Snaps
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