Starry Campion

Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District

Starry Campion (Widow's Frill)
Silene stellata [C-value 6]
Pink family (Caryophyllaceae)
Blooms July - August

The native Starry Campion is uncommon in our area. It prefers light shade or partial sun and slightly moist to dry conditions. Habitats include upland rocky woodlands, wooded slopes, savannas and shaded banks of streams. This perennial is 1–2½' tall, usually erect and unbranched. The lowermost and uppermost leaves are usually opposite, while the middle leaves occur in whorls of 4. The leaves are up to 4" long and 1½" across, elliptic or lance-shaped and toothless. The central stem terminates in a flower panicle up to 8" long and about 3-4" across. Each flower is about ¾" across with 5 white fringed petals at the front of a light green bell-shaped calyx.

Starry Campion at Lyon Forest Preserve July 21, 2013

Starry Campion at Millbrook South Forest Preserve July 12, 2015

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