Silene vulgaris
| Silene vulgaris | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Late Summer |
| Meadows | |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Silene vulgaris (common name: bladder campion)
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.
Cultivation: Prefers a well-drained moisture retentive light loamy soil in a sunny position[1][2].
A good moth plant[3].
Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Range: Most of Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa and temperate Asia.
Habitat: Arable land, roadsides, grassy slopes etc, avoiding acid soils[4][5].
Edibility: Young shoots and leaves - raw or cooked[6][7][8][4][9]. The young leaves are sweet and very agreeable in salads[10]. The cooked young shoots, harvested when about 5cm long, have a flavour similar to green peas but with a slight bitterness[11]. This bitterness can be reduced by blanching the shoots as they appear from the ground[11]. When pureed it is said to rival the best spinach purees[11]. The leaves can also be finely chopped and added to salads[11]. The leaves should be used before the plant starts to flower[4]. Some caution is advised, see the notes on toxicity above.
Medicinal: The plant is said to be emollient and is used in baths or as a fumigant[12].
The juice of the plant is used in the treatment of ophthalmia[12].
Usage: 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[13][14]. The soap is obtained by simmering the root in hot water.
Pollinators: Lepidoptera, bees
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Dioecious
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
Also Known As: S. cucubalus. S. inflata. Cucubalus behen.
Links
References
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Mabey, Richard. Food for Free. Collins, 1974.
- ↑ Ceres. Free for All. Thorsons Publishers, 1977.
- ↑ Larkcom, Joy. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn, 1980.
- ↑ Les Ecologistes de l'Euzière. Les Salades Sauvages. 1994.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.