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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Silen is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies), insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. 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

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Plant - cooked[61, 177]. Consumed as a vegetable in Iceland and in Arctic and Alpine regions[183]. The raw root skins have been used for food[257]. This report refers to the sub-species S. acaulis exscapa. (All.)DC.

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 has been used in the treatment of children with colic[257].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Plants form a rooting carpet and can be grown as a ground cover when planted about 25cm apart each way[208].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a light soil in full sun, doing best on a moraine[1]. Prefers a cool climate, plants can be difficult to bring into flower in the garden[188]. Polymorphic[1]. The sub-species S. acaulis saxatilis flowers more freely than the type[208].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation (Jamalo-Neneckij avtonomnyj okrug, Yakutia-Sakha), Russian Federation (Kamcatskij kraj, Cukotskij avtonomnyj okrug) NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Northwest Territories, Yukon, Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia), Greenland, United States (Alaska, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah) EUROPE: Finland (north), Faroe Islands, United Kingdom, Ireland (north), Iceland, Norway, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Sweden (north), Austria, Switzerland, Germany (south), Poland (southwest), Slovakia (east), Russian Federation (Karelia, Neneckij avtonomnyj okrug, Murmansk), Bulgaria (west), Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, Romania, Slovenia, Spain (north), France (south)

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Silene acaulis	Moss Campion	Perennial	0.1	-	LM	N	M	1	1	3
Silene conoidea	weed silene	Annual	0.3	0-0	LM	N	M	0	1	0
Silene dioica	Red Campion, Red catchfly	Biennial/Perennial	0.5	5-9	LMH	S	M	0	0	1
Silene firma	Catchfly	Annual/Biennial	0.9	-	LMH	SN	M	1	2
Silene gallica	common catchfly	Annual	0.4	-	LM	SN	DM	0	1
Silene latifolia	White Campion, Bladder campion	Perennial	0.6	5-9	LMH	N	M	0	0	1
Silene nigrescens		Perennial	0.1	-	LM	SN	DM	0	2
Silene vulgaris	Bladder Campion, Maidenstears	Perennial	0.6	5-9	LM	N	M	2	1	1

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.

Silen - (L.)Jacq.