Sea campion

Scientific name: Silene maritima

If you happen to be near rocky places such as sea cliffs, shingle coastlines or even gravel paths during the summer months you will most likely come across sea campion.

Species information

Statistics

Height: 15–30cm

Conservation status

Common

When to see

May – September

About

Sea campion is usually found growing alone but it can also occasionally be seen in small clusters.

How to identify

Each sea campion flower has a pink- and purple-veined calyx flowerhead and five white, bi-lobed petals. This means that each individual petal is split down the middle, giving the illusion of ten petals instead of five. The sea campion’s upright grey-green stems are covered in small, waxy, lance-shaped leaves.

Distribution

Common on most coastlines.

Habitats

Coastal

Did you know?

Sea campion has also been referred to as ‘dead man’s bells’, ‘witches thimbles’ and ‘Devil’s hatties’! According to folklore, this plant should not be picked as it is said to bring death.