Silene vulgaris
(Moench) Garcke
Bladder campion
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(c) mayamauri, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
Source: WikipediaSilene vulgaris, the bladder campion or maidenstears, is a plant species of the genus Silene within the family Caryophyllaceae. Native to the Old World, the plant has been naturalized elsewhere, including North America. The young shoots and leaves are edible.
Description
An erect herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 30-40 cm high. It branches from the base. It is usually without hairs but covered with a waxy bloom. The leaves are oval to sword shaped. The lower leaves are sharply stalked. The upper leaves do not have leaf stalks. The flowers are white. They are carried on long drooping stalks. The sepals join to form a green tube which is fattened. It has 5 triangle shaped teeth. The petals are white and divided into 2 lobes.
Edible Uses
Young shoots and leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. The young leaves are sweet and make a pleasant addition to salads. Young shoots harvested at around 5cm long, when cooked, develop a flavour similar to green peas with a slight bitterness — blanching them as they emerge from the ground helps reduce this. Pureed, the cooked shoots are said to rival the finest spinach purees. Leaves can also be finely chopped and mixed into salads, but should be harvested before the plant begins to flower. Some caution is advised, see the notes on toxicity above.
Traditional Uses
The young leaves are used as a green. They are also cut, fried and used in omelettes. They are used in soups and boiled and stewed. Blanching the new shoots as they emerge from the ground reduces the bitterness. The young shoots less than 5 cm tall are cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
Medicinal Uses
The plant is considered emollient and is used in baths or as a fumigant. The juice is applied in the treatment of ophthalmia.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. It grows in meadows, scrub between 200–2700 m altitude in China. It grows in damp places. It can also grow in dry soil and beside roads. In Argentina it grows between 500-1,000 m above sea level. Tasmania Herbarium.
Where It Grows
Africa, Alaska, Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Canada, Caribbean, Caucasus, Central Asia, Chile, China, Crete, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, Europe, France, Georgia, Greece, Haiti, Himalayas, India, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Scandinavia, Sicily, Slovenia, South Africa, South America, Spain, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, Uzbekistan, SW Asia, West Indies,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown by seed or by division.
Propagation
Sow seed in early spring in a cold frame. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and plant out during summer. With sufficient seed, a direct outdoor sowing in situ is also viable. Divide plants in spring — larger divisions can go straight into permanent positions, while smaller ones are best potted up and grown on in a lightly shaded cold frame until well established, then planted out in summer.
Other Uses
The root can be simmered in water to produce a soap substitute suitable for washing clothes. The flowers are rich in nectar and pollen, attracting bees and butterflies. The plant works well as a ground cover, helping to prevent soil erosion and providing habitat for beneficial insects and invertebrates. Young leaves and stems may also be consumed by wildlife, and the seeds can provide food for some species.
Notes
There are about 500 Silene species.
Nutrition
| Part | Moisture | kJ | kcal | Protein | Vit A | Vit C | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves | 89.7 | 122 | 29 | — | — | 35 | 2 | 0.3 |
Synonyms
Also Known As
Bai yu cao, Bearberry, Bibdughas, Bird's Eggs, Caricieddhu, Cavuleddhu, Cavuraci, Cirvinik, Coletas, Colleja, Cow-bells, Cucina, Dulma, Ecibücü, Engsmelle, Erba della Madonna, Erba striscia, Gariet, Ghantolu, Gicir, Givisgan otu, Gvrk, Hlok, Kinnikinik, Kiskis, Maiden's Tears, Mangotey, Masturek, Mch'ivana, Pokalica, Pucalica, Pucavac obicni, Silene rigonfia, Strouthi, Taghighacht, Tighecht, Tighighit, Tirecht, Toklubasi, Xatun, Yumurta
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