THE PINK FAMILY 
4i 
CAMPION. (LYCHNIS, LINN.) — This genus is, in all its essential characteristics, like the last 
[Catchfly and Campion (Silene)], and its separation has no natural foundation. Its point of 
difference consists in its having 5 or very rarely 4 styles, and 5 or 10 teeth to the capsule. 
Flowers in loose clusters, the central one opening first (cymes). Sepals 5, uniting into a 
narrow or inflated tube, and separating into 5 teeth ; petals 5, entire or notched, narrowing at the 
base into a claw which has two teeth at its summit ; stamens 10; carpels 5, united into a 1 -celled 
seedcase, and separating into 5 or very rarely 4 styles. Fruit a many-seeded capsule, i-celled, 
often with 5 imperfect cells at the base, opening at the top by 5 or 10 teeth. Herbs often having 
a sticky fluid on the stems and stalks, which are swollen at the joints (nodes), usually hairy, and 
having opposite, entire leaves. 
Evening* Campion. (Lychnis alba. Mill.)— As just described. Flowers i-i| inch 
across, white or pale pink, few, opening fully in the evening when they are sweetly-scented, in loose 
clusters (cymes); the calyx-tube softly hairy with 10 green ribs, becoming much inflated in fruit; 
the petals notched, with 2 teeth at the top of the claw ; the styles 5 ; the stamens and carpels usually 
being on different plants (dioecious) ; and the round capsule opening at the top by 10 erect teeth. 
Stems 1-3 feet high, loosely branched, hairy and sticky, swollen at the joints (nodes) ; leaves egg- 
shaped, pointed, hairy, the upper ones without, the lower with, stalks. \Plate 23. 
Common. Hedges, the sides of fields and waste places. June — September. Biennial or perennial. 
Red Campion. (Lychnis dioica, Linn.) — A very similar species to the Evening 
Campion, differing chiefly in having the calyx shorter and broader, with shorter teeth and tinged 
with red ; the petals rose-pink ; the capsule much shorter, opening by 1 o teeth which roll back ; 
and in the flowers being scentless and open all day. \Plate 23. 
Common. Hedges and waste places. June — September. Perennial. 
Ragged Robin. (Lychnis Flos-cuculi, Linn.) — Flowers i£-ij inch across, rose-pink, 
in loose terminal clusters, the central flower opening first (cymes) ; the calyx tube bell-shaped, 
tinged with red, with 10 red ribs ; the petals lobed into 4 narrow segments; the styles 5 ; and the 
roundish, i-celled capsule opening at the top by 5 teeth. [As just described in the genus 
Campion (Lychnis).] The stems 1^-2^ feet high, reddish and angular, sticky above and hairy 
below, swollen at the joints (nodes) ; and the leaves opposite and narrow, stalkless on the upper 
and shortly stalked on the lower stem. [. Plate 23. 
Very common. Marshes and moist meadows, by the sides of streams. May — July. Perennial. 
Red German Catchfly. (Lychnis Viscaria, Linn.) — Flowers about f-inch across, 
red, stalkless or on very short stalks, in opposite clusters up the main flowering stalk, forming 
an oblong, spike-like cluster (panicle); with the calyx membranous, generally purple, with 10 ribs; 
the petals slightly notched and with 2 long teeth at the top of the claw ; 5 styles ; and the capsule 
roundish, opening by 5 spreading teeth. [As just described in the genus Campion (Lychnis).] 
Stems 1-2 feet high, erect, slightly branched, sticky above and hairy below, swollen at the joints 
(nodes) ; and the leaves lance-shaped, opposite, the lower ones stalked, the upper stalkless. 
Very rare. Local ; found on limestone and dry rocks in a few places in North Wales and Scotland. 
June — August. Perennial. 
Red Alpine Campion. (Lychnis alpina, Linn.) — Very similar to the last species, with 
smaller, rose-coloured flowers in a flat terminal cluster (corymb), the calyx much shorter, the 
petals narrow and deeply notched, the stems 3-6 inches high, not sticky or hairy, and the 
leaves chiefly in tufts at the base. 
Very rare. On the summits of mountains, in Cumberland, Lancashire, and Forfarshire. July — 
August. Perennial. 
