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Sea Campion

(Silene maritima)

If you happen to be near rocky places such as sea cliffs, shingle coastlines or even gravel paths during the summer months you will most likely come across Sea Campion.

Vaughn Matthews (
Sea campion by Alan Price

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Membership builds our community and gives us a predictable income, which lets us plan and sustain longer projects that can have a greater impact. The more members we have, the more we can do to protect the Sussex countryside and coast.

Overview

Sea Campion is usually found growing alone but it can also occasionally be seen in small clusters.

Key Facts

  • Each Sea Campion flower has a pink- and purple-veined calyx flowerhead and five white, bi-lobed petals. This means that each individual petal is split down the middle, giving the illusion of ten petals instead of five. The Sea Campion’s upright grey-green stems are covered in small, waxy, lance-shaped leaves.
  • Sea Campion has also been referred to as ‘dead man’s bells’, ‘witches thimbles’ and ‘Devil’s hatties’! According to folklore, this plant should not be picked as it is said to bring death.
  • Height: 15–30cm

Status

Common

Seasonality

May – September

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