Seasonal Wild Flowers

Bladder Campion

Silene vulgaris

Caryophyllaceae

May to August

It is found throughout the country.

See the BSBI distribution map for Bladder Campion

It grows on open and thinly-grassy places, such as, rough

pasture, railway embankments, hedge-banks and waste ground.

Bladder Campion is a native, perennial herb, growing up to 1m.

The flowers are up to 19mm across and have 5 white,

deeply-cleft petals.

There are 5 or more long stamens with purple anthers.

There are 3 long, filiform styles with pink stigmas.

The calyx has 5 triangular teeth.

Flowers may be male, female or hermaphrodite.

The leaves are pale green, lanceolate and slightly wavy.

Bladder campion may be on the decline.

Bladder Campion on a railway embankment

Flower - 5+ stamens and 3 styles

Veined bladders - protruding styles

Calyx with 5 triangular teeth

Leaves