Silene dioica, Red Campion
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Silene dioica, formerly Melandrium rubrum & Lychnis dioica. Red campion is a common spring-flowering plant. In some areas it is known as the 'cuckoo-flower' as it shares a season with this winged harbinger of spring; it should not be mistaken with 'cuckooflower', or Cardamine pratensis. The flowers are red in colour, but pink and white-flowered varieties may arise. The leaves at the base of the plants are elliptical in shape with long winged stalks. The upper leaves are hairy, have short stalks and are more oblong in shape. The flowers are unisexual and are pollinated by bees and flies. Male flower has tubular calyx, and female one has oviform calyx. When the plant has ceased flowering, the seed capsules become apparent; these capsules open at the top, allowing the numerous small black seeds to escape.
It favours a wide variety of habitats including woodland, roadside verges, hedgerows and rocky ground.
Red Campion often cross-pollinates with White Campion (Silene latifolia subsp. alba), an introduced plant, and produces fully fertile hybrids. The resulting cross bears pink flowers. Through backcrossing all shades of colour from red through pink to pure white can be found.
The following is a citation about the origins of the name:
Silenus, the drunken, merry god of the woodlands in Greek mythology, gave his name to Silene dioica, the Red Campion.
The second part of its scientific name, dioica, means 'two houses', and refers to the fact that each Red Campion plant has flowers of one sex only, so that two plants are needed to make seed. Female flowers have no stamens, while male flowers have only a small, non-functioning ovary.
Other names:
UK Red Campion, red cockle
FI Puna-ailakki
D rote Lichtnelke
RU Дрема красная
S Rödblära
PL bniec czerwony
NL Dagkoekoeksbloem
F Silène dioïque, Compagnon rouge
NO Rød jonsokblom
IT Gittaione rosso, Gittone delle macchie
CZ silenka dvoudomá (knotovka červená)