Ontario Wildflowers website

Bladder Campion
Silene vulgaris
(formerly Silene cucubalus)

Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris) Other common names: Catchfly

Other scientific names: Silene cucubalus, Behen vulgaris, Cucubalus latifolius, Silene latifolia

French names: Silène enflé

Family: Pink Family (Caryophyllaceae)

Group: Campions

Distinctive features: Bladder-like flowers with white petals.

Similar species:
  •   White Campion (Silene latifolia) - Stems fuzzy, flowers larger, petals bigger.

  •   Night-flowering Catchfly (Silene noctiflora) - Stems fuzzy, flowers larger, petals bigger. Plant sticky.

  •   Red Campion (Lychnis dioica) - Stems fuzzy, flowers larger, petals bigger and red/pink.


Flowers: Summer;  White;  5 parts (petals)

Leaves: Opposite/Whorled, Entire

Habitat: Fields and Open Areas

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 260   

Native/Non-native: Non-native

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: vulgaris: common (Latin)


Photographs: 44 photographs available, of which 8 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris)

Bladder Campion flower. Note the sparse, ragged-looking white petals. These features help to distinguish it from White Campion (Silene latifolia) and Night-flowering Catchfly (Silene noctiflora).

Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris)

A cluster of flowers.

Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris)

Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris)

Backside of a flower. Note the inflated bladder which is diagnostic of Bladder Campion.

Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris)

Flower buds.

Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris)

Leaves opening.

Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris)

Bladder Campion leaves are opposite.

Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris)

A clump of Bladder Campion.


Range map for Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)