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Starry campion

Silene stellata (L.) W.T. Aiton

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Starry campion
Starry campion calyx
Starry campion
Starry campion leaves
Starry campion fruit
Starry campion leaves
Starry campion
Starry campion flower
Starry campion leaves
Starry campion flowers

Morphology

Stem
Erect, several, simple to inflorescence, often purplish, sparsely to densely rough-hairy.
Leaves
Mostly in whorls of 4 but occasionally opposite, simple, sessile, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, 1.5 to 4.5 inches long, .5 to 1.75 inch wide, minutely hairy; margins entire; tips tapered to points.
Inflorescence
Panicles, loose, several to many flowers, terminal.
Flower
Showy, about 3/4 to 1 inch wide, short-stalked; calyces bell- or funnel-shaped, 5-toothed, 10-nerved, finely hairy, teeth broadly triangular; petals 5, 1/3 to 2/3 inch long, white; tips deeply fringed into 8-12 lobes; stamens 10, threadlike, protruding past petals.
Fruit
Capsules, nearly spherical, 6-toothed, firm; seeds many, purplish brown.

Ecology

Habitat
Woods and thickets, in sandy or clay soils.
Distribution
East 1/3 of Kansas.

Additional Notes

Comments

"Starry" is in reference to the appearance of the flowers.

Quick Facts
Plant Type
Wildflower
Family
Caryophyllaceae - Pink Family
Life Span
Perennial
Height
2-4 feet
Last Updated
2007-09-25
Color Groups
White, Green & Greenish White Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Blooms: June, July, August