Practical
Plants

Silene acaulis

Moss Campion

a perennial evergreen member of the Silene genus in the family Caryophyllaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Silene
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.05 m
Spread
0.15 m
Fertility
Lepidoptera, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Lepidoptera, Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although no mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, it does contain saponins. Although toxic, these substances are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm. They are also broken down by thorough cooking. Saponins are found in many plants, including several that are often used for food, such as certain beans. It is advisable not to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plant - cooked[8][3]. Consumed as a vegetable in Iceland and in Arctic and Alpine regions[4]. The raw root skins have been used for food[7]. This report refers to the sub-species S. acaulis exscapa. (All.)DC.

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant has been used in the treatment of children with colic[7].

Product or use
Stomachic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants form a rooting carpet and can be grown as a ground cover when planted about 25cm apart each way[6].

Product or use
Soap

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
Arctic regions, also found further south on mountains in Asia, N. America and Europe, incl Britain.
Habitat
Mountain ledges and scree in N. Wales, the Lake District and Scotland[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 2+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow early spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily grown in a light soil in full sun, doing best on a moraine[1]. Prefers a cool climate, plants can be difficult to bring into flower in the garden[5]. Polymorphic[1]. The sub-species S. acaulis saxatilis flowers more freely than the type[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  4. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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  5. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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  6. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2

  7. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2

  8. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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