Cushion-pink, Moss Campion
Silene acaulis
Family: Caryophyllaceae
What it is like
A herb. It forms small hummocks of leafy stems. They are woody at the base. They are 5-15 cm tall. It spreads 10-100 cm wide. The dead leaves remain attached. The leaves are very narrow. The flowers are single and pink or purple. They sit just above the leaves.
There are about 500-800 Silene species.
Where it is found
It is a cold temperate plant. It grows in the Arctic. It grows on high mountains in Western and Central Europe and in the Rocky Mountains in Canada. It is often in stony places above the tree line. It suits hardiness zones 2-8.
Countries/locations it is found in
Arctic, Asia, Australia, Britain, Canada, Europe, Iceland, North America, Norway, Scandinavia, Slovenia, Spain, Tasmania
How it is used for food
The plant is boiled with butter and eaten as a vegetable.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
It can be grown by seed or by division.
Its other names
Local names
Fjellsmelle