Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Caryophyllaceae ⟩ Silene dioica / red campion

Silene dioica (L.) Clairv.

red campion (Caryophyllaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadNegligible tendencyE
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Silene dioica is a dioecious herb mostly found in woodland edges and hedgerows; male plants have narrow flowers with stamens but no stigmas.

West Coast, New Zealand; 2009-10-22

 red campion / Silene dioica: _Silene dioica_ is a dioecious herb mostly found in woodland edges and hedgerows; male plants have narrow flowers with stamens but no stigmas.

Female plants of Silene dioica have an inflated calyx and stigmas but no functional stamens.

Upton Cressett (VC40: Salop); 2008-06-14

 red campion / Silene dioica: Female plants of _Silene dioica_ have an inflated calyx and stigmas but no functional stamens.

The range of Silene dioica extends to colder climates than the more Mediterranean Silene latifolia; in this image, Silene dioica is growing close to sea level near John O’Groats.

Duncansby Head (VC109: Caithness); 2011-05-21

 red campion / Silene dioica: The range of _Silene dioica_ extends to colder climates than the more Mediterranean _Silene latifolia_; in this image, _Silene dioica_ is growing close to sea level near John O’Groats.

The fruit of Silene dioica is a dry capsule containing numerous seeds and with 10 teeth around the opening; these teeth are recurved, unlike in Silene latifolia.

Cothill (VC22: Berkshire); 2015-06-23

 red campion / Silene dioica: The fruit of _Silene dioica_ is a dry capsule containing numerous seeds and with 10 teeth around the opening; these teeth are recurved, unlike in _Silene latifolia_.

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