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Summary
Silene vulgaris,
Bladder Campion is native to Europe, temperate Asia, and northern Africa and widely naturalised in North America. The young shoots and leaves are eaten raw or cooked. The young leaves are sweet and very agreeable in salads. The older leaves are eaten boiled or fried, sauteed with garlic, or in omelettes. The cooked young shoots, harvested when about 5cm long, have a flavour similar to green peas, but blanching reduces a slight bitterness. Use the leaves before the plant starts to flower.
Harvesting: Young leaves and flower buds are harvested in spring and early summer.
Physical Characteristics
Silene vulgaris is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) at a medium rate.
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.
Plant 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
Agroforestry uses:
It can be used as a ground cover and helps prevent soil erosion while providing a habitat for beneficial insects.
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. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen:
Yes – Bladder Campion produces flowers that are known to attract various pollinators, including bees and butterflies, providing nectar and pollen.
2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf Litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting):
Yes, the young leaves and stems are edible and can be consumed by humans. Additionally, the seeds may provide food for some wildlife. The plant’s structure can offer some shelter, but it is not primarily used for nesting or roosting.
3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover):
Yes – The plant can provide some cover and habitat for invertebrates, particularly in leaf litter and as a groundcover.
4. Pest Confuser (Smell):
No – There is no significant evidence to suggest that Bladder Campion has pest-confusing properties.
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. Bladder Campion is generally not self-fertile. The young leaves and flower buds are typically harvested in spring and early summer.
Bladder Campion flowers from late spring to early summer (usually May to July, Northern Hemisphere).
Bladder Campion has a moderate growth rate, generally taking a few months to establish after planting.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
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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 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
Bladder Campion, Maidenstears
Native Range
TEMPERATE ASIA: Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Cyprus, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia), Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia (Eastern Siberia), Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russian Federation-Far East (Far East), China (Heilongjiang Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu, Xizang Zizhiqu) TROPICAL ASIA: India (Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh), Nepal, Pakistan (north) EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece (incl. Crete), Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Portugal (Madeira Islands), Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia
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 :
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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Author
(Moench.)Garcke.
Botanical References
17
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