WEEDS OF ARABLE LAND 69 



CARYOPHYLLACE^E 



Bladder Campion (Silene inflata Sm.) is one of the 

 commonest weeds of cornfields, and grows on many 

 kinds of soil. It is a smooth, shiny perennial, i to 2 feet 

 high, with ovate or oblong pointed leaves and drooping 

 white flowers f inch in diameter, appearing from June 

 to August. The calyx is inflated and bladder-like, with 

 violet veins, and is often picked by children to " pop " 

 by hitting the open end against the hand. The capsule 

 is globose. 



Red Campion (Lychnis diurna Sibth.) is a softly hairy, 

 viscid perennial, i to 3 feet high, with slender, branched 

 rootstock. The leaves are ovate, and the flowers, 

 which are found in June and July, have reddish-pink 

 divided petals. 



White Campion, Evening Campion (Lychnis vesper- 

 tina Sibth.) much resembles L. diurna, but the flowers 

 are white, and fragrant at night. Flowering occurs 

 between June and September. This plant is perhaps 

 most common on light, sandy soils. 



These three species are all common enough in corn- 

 fields, leys, and clover crops. Their seeds are often 

 found as impurities in timothy and clover samples. 

 Wherever the plants are met with an endeavour should 

 be made to prevent seeding by hand pulling or other 

 means. Only pure clover samples and temporary 

 " seeds " should be sown. 



Corn Cockle (Agrostemma Githago L.), a common 

 plant of cornfields, is dealt with at p. 283. 



Mouse-ear Chick weed (Cerastium triviale Link.) 

 occurs in arable land, and, like the following species, 

 is sometimes very troublesome. It is also common 

 in grass land (see p. 156). A closely-allied perennial 

 species, C. arvense L., occurs in quantity on arable land, 



