Paul Sterry - British Wild Flowers - A photographic guide to every common species

Corn Spurrey

Corn Spurrey Spergula arvensis HEIGHTto 30cm

Straggling, stickily hairy annual. A weed of arable land with sandy soils. FLOWERS4–7mm across, with 5 whitish petals (May–Aug). FRUITSCapsules; longer than sepals and drooping at first. LEAVESNarrow, in whorls along the stems. STATUSWidespread but less common than formerly, through herbicide use.

Rock Sea-spurrey

Flower

Rock Sea-spurrey Spergularia rupicola HEIGHTto 20cm

Stickily hairy perennial, often with purplish stems. Found on cliffs and rocky places near the sea. Sometimes forms clumps with woody bases. FLOWERSPink, 8–10mm across, with 5 petals (petals and sepals equal) (June–Sep). FRUITSCapsules. LEAVESNarrow, flattened and fleshy, in whorls. STATUSLocally common in the west.

See also Strapwort, Fringed Rupturewort, Coral-necklace, Smooth Rupturewortand Alpine Pearlwort

Greater Sea-spurrey

Greater Sea-spurrey Spergularia media HEIGHTto 10cm

Robust, fleshy perennial associated with the drier, upper reaches of saltmarshes. FLOWERSPinkish white, 7 –12mm across , the 5 petals longer than the sepals (June–Sep). FRUITSCapsules. LEAVESFleshy, bristle-tipped, semicircular in cross-section. STATUSWidespread and common around coasts.

Lesser Sea-spurrey

Lesser Sea-spurrey Spergularia marina PROSTRATE

Straggling, often stickily hairy annual. Found on the drier, grassy upper margins of saltmarshes. FLOWERSDeep pink, 6–8mm across; 5 petals shorter than the sepals (May–Aug). FRUITSCapsules. LEAVESNarrow, fleshy, pointed; in opposite pairs on trailing stems. STATUSWidespread and locally common around the coast.

Sand Spurrey

Sand Spurrey Spergularia rubra PROSTRATE

Straggling, stickily hairy annual or biennial. Found on dry, sandy ground. FLOWERSPink, 3–5mm across ; 5 petals shorter than sepals (May–Sep). FRUITSCapsules. LEAVESGrey-green, narrow, bristle-tipped; in whorls with silvery, lanceolate stipules. STATUSWidespread and locally common.

Bladder Campion

Bladder Campion Silene vulgaris HEIGHTto 80cm

Upright perennial of dry grassland on well-drained soil; often on chalk. FLOWERSWhite, drooping, 16–18mm across (June–Aug); petals deeply divided; calyx swollen to form a purple-veined bladder . FRUITSCapsules. LEAVESGrey-green, oval; in opposite pairs. STATUSWidespread but common only in the south.

Sea Campion

Sea Campion Silene uniflora HEIGHTto 20cm

Cushion-forming perennial that is confined to coastal habitats, notably cliffs and shingle beaches. FLOWERSWhite, 20–25mm across, with overlapping petals; on upright stems (June–Aug). FRUITSCapsules. LEAVESGrey-green, waxy, fleshy. STATUSWidespread and locally common around the coast.

White Campion

White Campion Silene latifolia HEIGHTto 1m

Hairy, branched perennial of disturbed ground and grassy habitats. Sometimes hybridises with Red Campion. FLOWERSWhite, 25–30mm across, with 5 petals; dioecious, male flowers smaller than females (May–Oct). FRUITSWith erect teeth. LEAVESOval, in opposite pairs. STATUSWidespread and common.

Moss Campion

Moss Campion

Moss Campion Silene acaulis PROSTRATE

Charming, cushion-forming perennial . Found on mountain tops and rocky ledges, but also near the sea in the far north. FLOWERSPink, 9–12mm across, with 5 petals (June–Aug). FRUITSCapsules. LEAVESNarrow, densely packed, giving the cushion a moss-like appearance. STATUSLocal on suitable mountains, from Wales northwards.

Red Campion

Red Campion Silene dioica HEIGHTto 1m

Hairy biennial or perennial of hedgerows, grassy banks and wayside places generally. FLOWERSReddish pink, 20–30mm across; male flowers smaller than females and on separate plants (Mar–Oct). FRUITSRevealing 10 reflexed teeth when ripe. LEAVESHairy, in opposite pairs. STATUSWidespread and common.

Nottingham Catchfly flower in daytime