Starry Campion, Widow’s Frill, Catchfly

Silene stellata

sy-LEE-nee  stell-AY-tuh

Synonyms of Silene stellata (6) (Updated on 12-11-23 from Plants of the World Online): Cucubalus stellatus L., Evactoma stellata (L.) Raf., Evactoma stellata var. scabrella Nieuwl., Silene scabrella (Nieuwl.) G.N.Jones, Silene stellata var. scabrella (Nieuwl.) E.J.Palmer & Steyerm., Viscago stellata (L.) Rchb.

According to Plants of the World Online by Kew, Silene stellata (L.) Coyte is the accepted scientific name for this species of Silene. It was named and described as such by William Beeston Coyte in Index Plantarum in 1807. It was previously named and described as Cucubalus stellatus by Carl von Linnaeus in the first volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753.

Some databases and websites say Silene stellata (L.) W.T.Aiton is the accepted scientific name for the Starry Campion. William Townsend Aiton named and described the species in the second edition of Hortus Kewensis in 1811. 

The genus, Silene L., was named and described as such by Carl von Linnaeus in the first volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753.

As of 12-11-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online lists a whopping 887 species in the Silene genus. It is a member of the plant family Caryophyllaceae with a total of 102 genera. Those numbers could change periodically as updates are made on POWO.

The above distribution map for Silene stellata is from Plants of the World Online. The map on the USDA Plants Database is similar but also includes North Dakota.

The map on iNaturalist shows where members have made observations. Anyone can join and it is a great website to confirm and share your observations. The maps on iNaturalist are continually updated as members post new observations.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING AND TO HELP WITH A BETTER PLANT ID.

I found several good-sized colonies of Silene stellata while wildflower (and mushroom) hunting in the woods on a friend’s farm on May 5 in 2020. I didn’t find any morels, but I did identify quite a few new wildflowers I hadn’t seen before. Missouri Plants says the Starry Campion flowers from June through September but I was unable to go back to get photos at that time. The woods are very thick later in the summer so getting through them is very difficult (not to mention the mosquitos). Hopefully, I can go back in 2021.

I apologize for not writing descriptions at the moment. I am busy updating plant pages and writing new pages for wildflowers I identified over the summer (plus adding more photos to previously published pages). Writing descriptions in my own words can be a lengthy process, so I decided to just make new pages and come back later and write the descriptions. This is a winter project but sometimes I get behind and it takes longer. I need to continually update because plant names change, the number of species and genera fluctuates, and I want to be as accurate as I can. There are several very good websites below that can help with a positive ID. We are all a work in progress.

 

 

 

<<<<2022>>>>

I found more Silene stellata while walking in the woods along the Rock Island Spur of the Katy Trail on May 29 in 2022. The trail is between the farm and Farrington Park.

I really like this species and finding them along the trail was a surprise.

 

I wanted to go back to where I saw them on the trail to get photos of their flowers, but by the time I did their flowers were already wilted. I didn’t go to the trail in 2023, but maybe I can in 2024.

I have enjoyed photographing and learning about the many wildflowers growing on the farm and in other areas. The farm is in Windsor, Missouri in Pettis County (Henry County is across the street, and Benton and Johnson aren’t far away). I have grown over 500 different plants and identified over 250 species of wildflowers (most have pages listed on the right side of the blog). I am not an expert, botanist, or horticulturalist. I just like growing, photographing, and writing about my experience. I rely on several websites for ID and a horticulturalist I contact if I cannot figure them out. Wildflowers can be somewhat variable from location to location, so sometimes it gets a bit confusing. If you see I have made an error, please let me know so I can correct what I have written.

I hope you found this page useful and be sure to check the links below for more information. They were written by experts and provide much more information. Some sites may not be up-to-date but they are always a work in progress. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would click on the “Like” below and leave a comment. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can also send an email to me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. I would enjoy hearing from you especially if you notice something is a bit whacky.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
INTERNATIONAL PLANT NAMES INDEX (GENUS/SPECIES)
TROPICOS (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF MISSOURI (GENUS/SPECIES)
WORLD FLORA ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
FLORA OF NORTH AMERICA (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
USDA PLANTS DATABASE
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
MISSOURI PLANTS
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
iNATURALIST
WILDFLOWER SEARCH
DAVE’S GARDEN
ARKANSAS NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
ILLINOIS WILDFLOWERS
MINNESOTA WILDFLOWERS
KANSAS WILDFLOWERS AND GRASSES
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
MARYLAND BIODIVERSITY PROJECT
GO BOTANY
LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTER
FRIENDS OF THE WILDFLOWER GARDEN
GARDENIA
GEORGIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
U.S. WILDFLOWERS
NORTH CAROLINA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY

NOTE: The data (figures, maps, accepted names, etc.) may not match on these websites. It depends on when and how they make updates and when their sources make updates. Some websites have hundreds and even many thousands of species to keep up with. Accepted scientific names change periodically and it can be hard to keep with as well. Some of the links may use a name that is a synonym on other sites. In my opinion, Plants of the World Online by Kew is one of the most reliable and up-to-date plant databases and they make updates regularly. I make updates “at least” once a year and when I write new pages or add new photos but I do get behind. We are all a work in progress. 🙂