starry campion
Silene stellata
Its distinctive fringed petals resemble stars, and its sticky, hairy calyx deters ants and other non-pollinating insects from stealing its nectar.
- Scientific name
- Silene stellata
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Caryophyllales › Caryophyllaceae › Silene
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Open deciduous woods, rocky slopes, and tallgrass prairies
- Diet
- Autotrophic (photosynthetic)
- Range
- Eastern United States, Central United States, Ontario, Canada
- Size
- 30 to 100 cm tall
- Lifespan
- Perennial (typically 3-8 years)
- Active
- crepuscular
- Threats
- Habitat destruction, displacement by invasive plant species, and excessive herbivory by overpopulated white-tailed deer.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. You can safely approach and photograph this delicate wildflower. Do not pick or trample them, as they are key food sources for native nocturnal pollinators.
Silene stellata (known by the common names starry campion and widow's frill ), is a perennial summer flowering forb with white flowers, which is native to the Eastern United States. It grows in habitats such as forests, river flats, and tall grass prairies.
Photo: Michael J. Papay, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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