Silene latifolia Poir.
A dioecious, herbaceous perennial, branched from the base; stems from 30 cm to 1m long, erect or ascending; softly hairy in the lower parts and glandular-hairy above. Leaves ovate to ovate-lanceolate, up to 9 cm long; the lower ones stalked. Inflorescence a dichasium. Flowers white, 5-petalled, 2 to 3 cm across; petals bifid. Calyx of male flowers 1.5 to 2 cm long, 10-veined; those of the female flowers from 1.5 to 3 cm long, 20-veined, becoming ovoid to conical in fruit. Capsule up to 2.5 cm long.
Local:Not common in Gibraltar. Found mainly along Martin’s Path, Mediterranean Steps and around the Upper Gallerie
Global: Found throughout the Mediterranean region.
Flowers from March, April, May to June.
Grows along waysides, waste and disturbed ground and in clearings.