Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

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Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke

bladder campion (Caryophyllaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadSlight tendencySE
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Silene vulgaris grows in rough grassy areas, mostly over limestone and chalk.

Ticino, Switzerland; 2008-05-08

 bladder campion / Silene vulgaris: _Silene vulgaris_ grows in rough grassy areas, mostly over limestone and chalk.

The calyx of Silene vulgaris is inflated, and usually narrower at the tip than in its coastal relative Silene uniflora.

Basingstoke (VC12: North Hampshire); 2014-05-30

 bladder campion / Silene vulgaris: The calyx of _Silene vulgaris_ is inflated, and usually narrower at the tip than in its coastal relative _Silene uniflora_.

Silene vulgaris subsp. macrocarpa differs from the native subspecies in having rhizomes, and in the pinkish or greenish hue to the petals; it is established on Plymouth Hoe (VC3: South Devon) and occasionally escapes elsewhere.

Plymouth (VC3: South Devon); 2021-06-02

 bladder campion / Silene vulgaris: _Silene vulgaris_ subsp. _macrocarpa_ differs from the native subspecies in having rhizomes, and in the pinkish or greenish hue to the petals; it is established on Plymouth Hoe (VC3) and occasionally escapes elsewhere.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne