Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke
Diagnostic description:
A hairless, more or less glaucous perennial. Stems erect or decumbent, from 25 to 70 cm tall. Leaves opposite, from ovate to linear-lanceolate, somewhat fleshy, from 2 to 9 cm long. Inflorescence a dichasium. Flowers white, from 1.5 to 2.5 cm, drooping; petals 5, bifid. Calyx hairless, inflated, 1.5 to 2 cm long, with 20 veins and also strongly reticulated. Capsule from 5 to 15 mm long.
Distribution:
Local: Rare in Gibraltar. Found mainly at North Front Cemetery, with some plants around Europa Flats.
Global: Found throughout Europe, north Africa and Asia.
Ecology:
Flowers from March, April, May to June.
Habitat:
Grows on waste and disturbed ground, and along waysides.