Citation: L., Sp. Pl. 416 (1753).

Derivation: From Silenus, the corpulent companion of Bacchus, perhaps in allusion to the paunchy calyx of some species.

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: Campions or catchflies.

Description:
Annual or biennial herbs; monoecious or dioecious; leaves entire, sessile or petiolate.

Flowers 5-merous; calyx 10- to 30-nerved longitudinally, sometimes inflated, with 5 short teeth; epicalyx absent; petals 5, usually free, exceeding the calyx, with a long narrow claw and usually 2 small scales at the summit of the claw; stamens 10; styles 3.

Capsule usually enclosed in the calyx, opening at the summit by 6 teeth; seeds numerous, reniform, with a marginal funicle, thickened along the back, concentrically granular.

Distribution:  About 500 species throughout the world; mainly north temperate.

Biology: No text

Key to Species:

1. Plants dioecious
2. Petals usually white; glandular-hairy on the upper part of the plant; calyx nerves 10 in male, 20 in female	S. pratensis 7.
2. Petals usually a bright pink or red; plant hispid-pilose; calyx nerves 10 in both male and female	S. dioica 4.
1. Plants monoecious; flowers bisexual
3. Fruiting calyx bladdery, 20-30-nerved
4. Calyx globular, glabrous	S. vulgaris 9.
4. Calyx conical, hairy	S. conica 2.
3. Fruiting calyx not bladdery, 10-nerved
5. Calyx cylindrical or ovoid; carpophore very short; flowers numerous
6. Calyx cylindrical	S. nocturna 6.
6. Calyx ovoid
7. Flowers erect, in simple racemes
8. Calyx pubescent on the nerves only; seeds winged, undulate	S. apetala 1.
8. Calyx pubescent all over; seeds reniform, tuberculate	S. gallica 5.
7. Flowers spreading or drooping, in branched racemes	S. dichotoma 3.
5. Calyx clavate; carpophore as long as the capsule	S. schafta 8.

Author: Not yet available