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Glite Dictionary
Silene vulgaris

Silene vulgaris

9.8
A plant that lives many years with large white flowers and a balloon-shaped cup under each flower
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Silene vulgaris
  • While hiking in Scandinavia, we spotted clusters of Silene vulgaris along the roadside.

Examples

  • The Silene vulgaris thrives in well-drained soils across much of Europe.

  • Gardeners admire Silene vulgaris for its unique, balloon-like calyx.

  • Look at that beautiful Silene vulgaris growing over there!

  • The Silene vulgaris blooms beautifully in the spring.

  • Gardeners admire Silene vulgaris for its unique, balloon-like calyx.

  • The Silene vulgaris thrives in well-drained soils across much of Europe.

  • While hiking in Scandinavia, we spotted clusters of Silene vulgaris along the roadside.

Synonyms

bladder campion
vsSilene vulgaris
  • UK
9.9

A European wildflower with white, balloon-like flowers and blue-green leaves

is the scientific name for the same plant

Surface Forms

Silene vulgaris singular
Silene vulgaris plural

Morphology

Silene + vulgaris

The name is a standard Linnaean binomial composed of the genus 'Silene' and the Latin epithet 'vulgaris' (meaning 'common' or 'widespread'), so a learner who knows both constituents can infer it denotes the common species of Silene (i.e., common/bladder campion). This taxonomic, compositional pattern is systematic and cross-linguistically recognizable in scientific names, making the meaning derivable rather than idiomatic.

Etymology

Silene vulgaris gets its name from the flower's balloon-like pouch: the swollen white part looks like a small bladder, so people called it 'bladder campion'. The second word vulgaris is Latin for 'common', so the name means the 'common Silene', which fits this widespread herb.