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Silene vulgaris - (Moench.)Garcke.

Common Name Bladder Campion, Maidenstears
Family Caryophyllaceae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards Although no mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, it does contain saponins. Although toxic, these substances are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm. They are also broken down by thorough cooking. Saponins are found in many plants, including several that are often used for food, such as certain beans. It is advisable not to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].
Habitats Arable land, roadsides, grassy slopes etc, avoiding acid soils[9, 17].
Range Most of Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa and temperate Asia.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Silene vulgaris Bladder Campion, Maidenstears


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Taka
Silene vulgaris Bladder Campion, Maidenstears
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Malte

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Silene vulgaris is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies), bees. The plant is not self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

S. cucubalus. S. inflata. Cucubalus behen.

Habitats

 Meadow;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Young shoots and leaves - raw or cooked[2, 5, 8, 9, 52]. The young leaves are sweet and very agreeable in salads[217]. The cooked young shoots, harvested when about 5cm long, have a flavour similar to green peas but with a slight bitterness[183]. This bitterness can be reduced by blanching the shoots as they appear from the ground[183]. When pureed it is said to rival the best spinach purees[183]. The leaves can also be finely chopped and added to salads[183]. The leaves should be used before the plant starts to flower[9]. Some caution is advised, see the notes on toxicity above.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


The plant is said to be emollient and is used in baths or as a fumigant[240]. The juice of the plant is used in the treatment of ophthalmia[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Soap

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it is most likely that the following use can be made of the plant:- The root is used as a soap substitute for washing clothes etc[46, 61]. The soap is obtained by simmering the root in hot water.

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a well-drained moisture retentive light loamy soil in a sunny position[1, 200]. A good moth plant[13]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have sufficient seed, an outdoor sowing in situ can be made. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Silene acaulisMoss CampionPerennial0.1 -  LMNM113
Silene conoideaweed sileneAnnual0.3 0-0  LMNM010
Silene dioicaRed Campion, Red catchflyBiennial/Perennial0.5 5-9  LMHSM001
Silene firmaCatchflyAnnual/Biennial0.9 -  LMHSNM12 
Silene gallicacommon catchflyAnnual0.4 -  LMSNDM01 
Silene latifoliaWhite Campion, Bladder campionPerennial0.6 5-9  LMHNM001
Silene nigrescens Perennial0.1 -  LMSNDM02 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(Moench.)Garcke.

Botanical References

17

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Thu Dec 30 07:33:22 2004

This plant is found in Malta/Mediterranean basin/Europe

More comprehensive details, medicinal properties, uses, botanical data, plant description and photogallery of high resolutions photos of this plant can be seen on an interesting website about the wild plants of Malta: www.maltawildplants.com

Link: Malta Wild Plants Website and photography by Stephen Mifsud, Malta.

Dr,. Emma Jack   Fri Nov 11 2005

Silene vulgaris is also a well documented heavy metal tolerant plants, a metallophyte. Must research has gone into elucidating the mechanisms that govern this trait. Plants from polluted soils via anthropogenic activities or natural ores (i.e. serpentine, calamine) are able to tolerate 10 fold more Zn, Cu and Cd that the populations grown in non-polluted environments.

Dr,. Emma Jack   Fri Nov 11 2005

Silene vulgaris is also a well documented heavy metal tolerant plant, a metallophyte. Much research has gone into elucidating the mechanisms that govern this trait. Plants from polluted soils via anthropogenic activities or natural ores (i.e. serpentine, calamine) are able to tolerate 10 fold more Zn, Cu and Cd that the populations grown in non-polluted environments.

Frances   Sun May 6 2007

This plant is popular in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region in northern Italy. It is cooked as spinach, eaten raw in salads or made into ravioli filling with ricotta and parmisan cheese. It tastes really good. In early spring you will see people looking for it on roadsides but it is also cultivated and sold in stores. It is known as scupitin or grisolon.

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