Ragged Robin
Silene flos-cuculi · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (8 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Ragged Robin, scientifically known as Silene flos-cuculi, is a charming perennial wildflower celebrated for its delicate, fringed pink blossoms. While primarily valued for its ornamental beauty in damp meadows, it holds traditional significance in herbal lore, embodying the rustic elegance of wetland ecosystems through its unique, star-shaped floral structure.
Names
Common Names
- Ragged Robin
- Ragged-Robin
- meadow campion
Regional and Traditional Names
German:
- Kuckucks-Lichtnelke
French:
- lychnide fleur-de-coucou
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Silene flos-cuculiSynonyms
- Coronaria flos-cuculi
- Coccyganthe flos-cuculi
- Agrostemma flos-cuculi
- Melandrium flos-cuculi
- Lychnis flos-cuculi
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified under the order Caryophyllales and is a member of the family Caryophyllaceae. Specifically, its taxonomic designation falls under the genus Silene.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Caryophyllaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Silene | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific range across the northernmost regions of the European continent. Its distribution begins in Northern Europe, where it can be found growing in Denmark and Finland. It is also documented within the island territories of the Faroe Islands and Iceland. Furthermore, the species extends its reach to include parts of Great Britain. Together, these locations define the primary northern habitats for Silene flos-cuculi.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Føroyar | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Iceland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Silene flos-cuculi, is a delicate flowering herb characterized by its slender stems and distinctive morphological features. The most prominent aspect of its structure is the inflorescence (Ns-F), which consists of numerous small, pinkish flowers arranged in a way that attracts pollinators. As a flowering herb, it completes its life cycle through seasonal growth, often appearing in meadows and moist habitats. While the vegetative and reproductive structures are central to its identity, certain developmental stages or laboratory cultivation processes may involve the formation of a callus, a mass of undifferentiated cells used to study the plant's regenerative properties.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| callus | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flowering herb | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflorescence ns f | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Silene flos-cuculi has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, polyphenols.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Flavonoids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Flavonoids
- Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
polyphenols
- Plants (Basel, Switzerland)