white campion

Silene latifolia

White campion is a pretty flower with soft white petals. It often grows in fields and gardens, bringing beauty to nature with its cheerful blooms.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The white campion has bright white, five-petaled flowers, often deeply notched at the tips, which emerge from a green, swollen calyx. Its stems and leaves are covered in fine hairs, giving the plant a slightly fuzzy texture that makes it visually distinct.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyCaryophyllaceaeGenusSilene

white campion

Interesting facts

It's one of the few plants where you can have a whole patch of 'boy' flowers and a separate patch of 'girl' flowers!

Its bright white petals act like tiny beacons, reflecting moonlight to guide night-flying moths!

Rubbing its leaves with water creates foamy suds – a natural soap from a wild plant!

The swollen part beneath its petals reminded ancient botanists of a mythical forest god's belly!

Special abilities

White campion has a sweet, strong scent that gets more intense at night, helping it attract nocturnal moths for pollination.

Some white campion plants are only male, producing pollen, while others are only female, making seeds, ensuring genetic diversity.

White campion seeds can remain dormant in the soil for many years, waiting for the perfect conditions to sprout and grow.

Measurements & details

Height: 30-100 cm
Spread: 30-60 cm
Flower Size: 2-3 cm
Bloom Season: Late spring to fall
Is Edible: No
Toxicity: Mild
Lifecycle: Biennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Lychnis Moth

Hadena bicruris

Main nocturnal pollinator.

pollinates

European Peacock

Aglais io

Daytime nectar source.

eaten by

Black Slug

Arion ater

Slugs and snails feed on leaves.

Traits

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!

Biennial

Explore plants that take two whole years to complete their life journey! In the first year, they grow leaves, and in the second, they bloom and make seeds.

Cluster Flower

Discover how these flowers grow together in beautiful groups, creating a big splash of color that catches your eye. It's like a tiny bouquet, all natural!

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!

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.