Silene coronaria | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Caryophyllales |
Family: | Caryophyllaceae |
Genus: | Silene |
Species: | S. coronaria
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Binomial name | |
Silene coronaria | |
Synonyms | |
Agrostemma coronaria L. |
Silene coronaria, the rose campion, is a species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae, native to Eurasia. Other common names include dusty miller (which also refers to Centaurea cineraria and Jacobaea maritima), mullein-pink and bloody William. In the United Kingdom it is still widely referenced under its synonym Lychnis coronaria. [1]
It is a perennial growing to 80 centimetres (31 inches) tall by 45 cm (18 in) wide, with grey felted leaves and single, bright magenta flowers produced in succession around July. Though short-lived, the plant readily self-seeds in favourable locations. It is sometimes grown as a biennial. [1]
The Latin coronaria means "used for garlands". [2]
It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, [3] as has the white-flowered cultivar 'Alba'. [4]