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Photographer: Prairie Frontier
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Family Caryophyllaceae
Silene nivea (Nutt.) Muhl. ex Otth
evening campion, snowy campion, white campion
Silene: probably from Greek sialon, "saliva," referring to gummy exudation on stems, and/or named for Silenus, intoxicated foster-father of Bacchus (god of wine) who was covered with foam, much like the glandular secretions of many species of this genus.
nivea: snow white
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| Status: | Threatened |
| Plant: | erect, perennial, 1'-3' tall forb; from rhizomes |
| Flower: | white, 5-parted, 1/2" wide, sepals densely hairy, forming a bell-shaped tube with no ribs, petals 2-lobed with toothed tips; inflorescence a few flowers on long stalks from the leaf axils; opens in the evening; blooms June-Aug. |
| Leaf: | mostly on the stem with either a very short stalk or stalkless, opposite |
| Habitat: | moderate moisture; woods, clearings |
| (Glossary) |
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