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Silene acaulis - (L.)Jacq.

Common Name Moss Campion
Family Caryophyllaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
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 Mountain ledges and scree in N. Wales, the Lake District and Scotland[17].
Range Arctic regions, also found further south on mountains in Asia, N. America and Europe, incl Britain.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Silene acaulis Moss Campion


Silene acaulis Moss Campion

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Silene acaulis 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

 Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
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.
Stomachic

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

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Soap

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

Special Uses

Ground cover

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:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

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 it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
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 
Silene vulgarisBladder Campion, MaidenstearsPerennial0.6 5-9  LMNM211

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

(L.)Jacq.

Botanical References

17

Links / References

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