Lychnis flos-cuculi, Ragged Robin
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Lychnis flos-cuculi, also called Silene flos-cuculi (L.) Greuter et Burdet. Ragged Robin is a plant growing in sun or partial shade in natural wetland habitats. It is an attractive, bushy, upright perennial with loose clusters of 'ragged' pink flowers. Narrow, light green leaves in opposing pairs are arranged along a reddish stem. It self seeds readily, and is a common perennial native to Europe and western Asia having usually pink flowers with 5 ragged petals; these are each divided into 4 linear lobes giving the flower a droopy, ragged appearance. Flowers are arranged in small clusters atop the plant. The stems and leaves are smooth. Leaves oblong, ovate, sessile to the stem. The plant grows to 60 cm in height.
The plant contains saponins, toxic glycosides which are poorly heat resistant and poorly absorbed in our gastro-intestinal system. However, they are a good constituent for making soap. Read more about making soap from plants.
Other names
UK Cuckoo Flower, Thunder Flower, Meadow Spink, Polly Baker, Shaggy Jacks and Bachelor's Buttons
FI Käenkukka
F Lychnis fleur-de-coucou
D Kuckucks-Lichtnelke
NO Hanekam
DK Trævlekrone
PL firletka poszarpana
IT Fior di cuculo
HU Réti kakukkszegfű
CS kohoutek luční
S Gökblomster
SLOV Kukučka lúčna