RED CAMPION 23 



mouth, and the seeds are scattered far and wide by the wind or by 

 passers-by. 



The soil required is a humus soil, and it is therefore a humus-loving 

 plant, ranging over many different formations. 



This plant is attacked by the fungus Ustilago violacea. 



A beetle, Phytonomus plant aginis, Lepidoptera, such as Tawny 

 Sheers {Dianthcecia carpophaga), The Lychnis D. capsincola, Nemeo- 

 phila plantaginis, Yellow Shell (Camptogramma bilineata), Rivulet 

 (Emmelesia affinitata), Sandy Carpet (E. decolor at a), Gelechia vis- 

 cariella, Lygris flavofasciata, Netted Pug (Eupithecia venosata), feed 

 on it. 



The second name, dioica, refers to the dicecious habit. 



Red Campion is called Adder's-flower, Bachelor's Buttons, Billy 

 Buttons, Bird's-eye, Brassety Buttons, Brid-een, Bull's Eye, Cock- 

 robin, Crows-ope, Devil's Flower, Flea-bites, Geuky Flower, Gramfer- 

 Greygles, Hare's Eye, Lousy Beds, Mother- Dee, Plum-puddings, 

 Ragged Robin, Red Butcher, Red Lack, Red Robin, Robin-in-the- 

 hose, Robin-i'-the-hedge, Round Robin, Scalded Apple. 



As to the name Bachelor's Buttons, Johnson says: "The similitude 

 that these flowers have to the jagged cloath buttons anciently worne in 

 this kingdome gave occasion to our Gentlewomen and other lovers of 

 flowers in those times to call them Batchelor's Buttons". Another 

 name Lousy Soldier's Buttons refers to the dislike to gather them 

 when covered with small insects (Aphidse). The plant is called Dee 

 (or Die), and a superstition exists amongst Cumberland children to the 

 effect that if they pluck the flower, some misfortune will happen to 

 their parents. It was supposed to exert a charm over the fortunes 

 of lovers. It was called " Great Candlestick " because that was lighted 

 up on St. John the Baptist's Day. 



When it is cultivated it sometimes becomes double. A white- 

 flowered form exists in a wild state. 



The flower is visited by the small Elephant Hawk Moth in the 

 evening, being partly crepuscular. 



ESSENTIAL SPECIFIC CHARACTERS: 



49. Lychnis dioica, L. Dicecious, stem tall, erect, leaves lanceolate, 

 flowers pink, calyx teeth triangular, peduncle downy, capsule globular, 

 with 10 recurved teeth. 



