White cockle (Silene latifolia, Voy. Barbarie 2: 165 (1789))

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Author: Poir.

Bibliography: Voy. Barbarie 2: 165 (1789)

Year: 1789

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Silene

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. Eurasia, NW. Africa

Description

White cockle, scientifically known as Silene latifolia, is a fascinating and resilient species belonging to the Caryophyllaceae family. First described in detail in Poiret’s 1789 Voyage en Barbarie, the plant has since been an object of study and interest among botanists and ecologists alike.

Native to temperate Eurasia and northwestern Africa, White cockle thrives across a variety of landscapes, showcasing its adaptability and ecological versatility. The plant is distinguished by its attractive white blossoms that typically emerge from late spring through early autumn. These flowers, often a favorite among night-pollinators such as moths, are characterized by their five deeply notched petals and pleasant fragrance.

Silene latifolia is a dioecious plant, meaning individual specimens are either male or female. This unique trait necessitates the presence of both sexes in proximity for successful pollination, lending an interesting dynamic to its reproductive ecology. The leaves of White cockle are lance-shaped and covered with fine, downy hairs, contributing to its slightly silvery appearance.

This species is often found in meadows, along roadsides, and in disturbed lands, showing a remarkable capacity to colonize and thrive in areas impacted by human activity. Despite its prevalence in such environments, it is not considered invasive, as it tends to coexist harmoniously with a variety of other flora.

In summary, Silene latifolia or White cockle is a notable member of the Caryophyllaceae family, with origins tracing back to temperate Eurasia and northwest Africa. Its elegant white flowers and interesting dioecious nature make it a subject of constant intrigue in the botanical world.

Common Names

Dan: aftenpragtstjerne
Eng: bladder campion, white campion, white cockle, evening lychnis, wide-leaved bladder campion
Deu: breitblatt-leimkraut, weiße lichtnelke
Nld: avondkoekoeksbloem
Fra: silène blanc, compagnon blanc, lychnide blanche, silène des prés, silène à larges feuilles
Swe: vitblära
Cym: amrywiaeth gwynflodeuog, gludlys gwyn, gludlys hwyrol, lluglys gwyn, lluglys gwyn blodeuog, lluglys hwyrol
Gla: coirean bàn, coireanan bàna
En: White Cockle, White campion, Bladder campion, Maidenstears, BLADDER-CAMPION, Evening lychnis, Wide-leaved bladder campion
Ar: سيلينة عريضة الأوراق
Az: Buassiye tovlu qulağı
Be: Смалянка лугавая
Bg: Бяло плюскавиче
Zh: 白花蝇子草
Kw: Bleujen gevnisen gwynn
Cs: Knotovka bílá, Silenka širolistá bílá
Da: Aften-Pragtstjerne, Aftenpragtstjerne
Nl: Avondkoekoeksbloem
Eo: Blanka sileno
Et: Valge pusurohi
Fi: Valkoailakki, Ilta-ailakki
Fr: Silène blanc, Compagnon blanc, Lychnide blanche, Silène des prés, Silène à larges feuilles, Lychnis à grosses graines, Silène à feuilles larges, Mélandrium
De: Breitblättrige Lichtnelke, Breitblatt-Leimkraut, Weiße Lichtnelke
Is: Aftanstjarna
Ga: Coireán bán
It: Silene
Li: Witte koekoeksbloom
Lt: Baltasis šakinys
No: Hvit jonsokblom
Fa: سیلن چمن‌زار
Pl: Bniec biały
Pt-br: Alfinetes
Ru: Смолёвка белая
Gd: Coirean bàn, Coireanan bàna
Sk: Knôtovka biela, Silenka biela
Sv: Vitblära
Uk: Смілка широколиста
Cy: Gludlys gwyn, Amrywiaeth Gwynflodeuog, Gludlys Hwyrol, Lluglys Gwyn, Lluglys Gwyn Blodeuog, Lluglys Hwyrol

Synonyms

• Melandrium pratense var. crassifolium ((Lange) Willk.)
• Melandrium macrocarpum var. trachyodon (Pau)
• Melandrium vespertinum var. crassifolium (Lange)
• Melandrium album var. crassifolium ((Lange) Cout.)
• Melandrium album var. marizianum ((Gand.) Samp.)
• Melandrium divaricatum var. crassifolium ((Rouy & Foucaud) Samp.)
• Melandrium album var. latifolium (Cout.)
• Silene pratensis var. crassifola ((Rouy & Foucaud) Samp.)
• Melandrium latifolium ((Poir.) Maire)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Chita (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Alaska (introduced)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Falkland Is. (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Greenland (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manchuria (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• North Dakota (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)
• Xinjiang (introduced)

Additional Images

Other

Taken Jun 25, 2020 by Alice (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 4, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 4, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 14, 2021 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 9, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2017 by Jose Luis Romero (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Dec 9, 2021 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 23, 2020 by Posada raquelposada60 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 13, 2021 by Jani Zadrgal (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 25, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 25, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 9, 2021 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2017 by Jose Luis Romero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 16, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 22, 2018 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 22, 2018 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 11, 2021 by Miguel Ángel Segovia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2019 by Cruz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5384805)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:157647-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Silene latifolia Poir.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 7