CAMPION

also called Catchfly, common name for ornamental rock-garden or border plants constituting the genus Silene, of the pink family (Caryophyllaceae), consisting of about 500 species of herbaceous plants distributed throughout the world. Campion and catchfly also are names for members of the genus Lychnis of the same family. Some species of Silene stand erect; others are spreading plants. The stems often are covered with a sticky material. The smooth-edged leaves are arranged opposite each other on the stem. Some species have solitary flowers; others have branched clusters of red, white, or pink flowers. Each of the five petals has a narrow, stalklike base, sometimes with scales at the junction of the base and the broad upper part. The fruit is a capsule. Bladder campion (S. vulgaris) has large, white, drooping flowers. Many subspecies are found in different habitats throughout Europe.