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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
herbaceous trait badgeflowering trait badgeshade_tolerant trait badgespring_blooming trait badge
red campion

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

2

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

Ability

Separate Genders Power

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

Ability

Hairy Shield

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

Ability

Night-Time Nectar

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
Edible
No
Toxicity
Mild
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Watch

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

Also known as

CampionSilene

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch flowers unless a grown-up says it's okay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is red campion?

30-90 cm

How wide does red campion spread?

30-50 cm

How big are the flowers on red campion?

1.5-2.5 cm

When does red campion bloom?

Late spring to late summer

Is red campion edible?

No

Is red campion toxic?

Mild

What is red campion's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is red campion pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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