Ragged Robin

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Ragged Robin
• Ragged-Robin
• meadow campion

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Coronaria flos-cuculi
• Coccyganthe flos-cuculi
• Agrostemma flos-cuculi
• Melandrium flos-cuculi
• Lychnis flos-cuculi

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Silene flos-cuculi is characterized by its preference for lowland environments, where it typically colonizes moist and nutrient-rich habitats. It is frequently found in damp meadows, marshes, fens, and along the edges of ditches or stream banks, thriving in areas where the water table is relatively high but not permanently inundated. This species favors temperate climates and often occupies semi-natural grasslands or disturbed alluvial soils that provide sufficient moisture to support its herbaceous growth. Its presence is often indicative of undisturbed, damp lowland ecosystems that maintain a specific balance of soil moisture and moderate nutrient availability.

Habitat :

Lowland

Life history

The life history of Silene flos-cuculi is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or the substrate during unfavorable periods. This life form, specifically categorized under the hemicryptophyte group, dictates its survival strategy, ensuring that the plant can re-emerge annually from its protected buds to complete its reproductive cycle.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Silene flos-cuculi is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial plant is self-supporting and does not function as a climber or an epiphyte, maintaining an independent lifestyle without parasitic tendencies. The shoots exhibit an erect orientation, reaching a plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 0.9 m, with an average height of approximately 0.456 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.9 m

Plant height mean:

0.456 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Silene flos-cuculi is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes. The plant's foliar morphology is defined by relatively narrow leaves, with a mean width of 1 cm, a value that remains consistent across its minimum and maximum measurements. These leaves exhibit a maximum length of 11 cm and maintain a mean surface area of 9.19 cm². Furthermore, the plant possesses a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 239.37 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass per area and its resource allocation strategy. In terms of nutritional acquisition, the species is classified as non-carnivorous, relying on standard soil-based nutrient uptake rather than insectivory.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

11 cm

Leaf size mean:

9.19 cm²

Leaf width mean:

1 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

239.37 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Silene flos-cuculi is characterized by a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is notably absent. The flowering period typically commences in May and concludes in July. This plant relies on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically utilizing insects, with bees identified as a primary pollinator. Interestingly, self-fertilization is absent, indicating a reliance on cross-pollination. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops dry, dehiscent capsules as its fruit type. The resulting seeds are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.0001938335 g (ranging from 0.00017 g to 0.00021 g) and a consistent mean length of 0.8 mm. The seed volume varies slightly between a minimum of 0.14 mm³ and a maximum of 0.16 mm³, with an average of 0.15 mm³. For dispersal, the species employs an anemochorous syndrome, meaning the seeds are dispersed by the wind.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

0.8 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00021 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0001938335 g

Seed mass min:

0.00017 g

Seed volume max:

0.16 mm³

Seed volume mean:

0.15 mm³

Seed volume min:

0.14 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Silene flos-cuculi has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower.

Flower

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Silene flos-cuculi has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, polyphenols.

Flavonoids

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

polyphenols

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)