Red Campion is a
native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in woodland, hedgerows and coastal areas, to a mature height of up to 100cm.
Red Campion is named after its flower colour, which is actually light- to deep- pink rather than red. It has hairy green stems, turning red. The flowers are distinguished by their deeply-cleft pink petals and tubular brown calyces.
Botanic classification and naming: Red Campion is a member of the Carnation (Caryophyllaceae) family. The genus name
'Silene' identifies the plant as a Campion and its species name 'dioica' means 'separate male/ female plants'.
Benefits: Red Campion provides nectar for bees, butterflies and hoverflies. The caterpillars of several moth species feed on this plant.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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