Silene nivea (Nutt.) Muhl. ex Otth
Family: Caryophyllaceae
evening campion, snowy campion, white campion
[Cucubalus niveus Nutt.]
Silene nivea image
Prairie Frontier  
Etymology: Silene: probably from Greek sialon, "saliva," referring to gummy exudation on stems, and/or named for Silenus, intoxicated foster-father of Bacchus (god of wine) who was covered with foam, much like the glandular secretions of many species of this genus.
Plants: erect, perennial, 1'-3' tall forb; from rhizomes
Leaves: mostly on the stem with either a very short stalk or stalkless, opposite
Flowers: white, 5-parted, 1/2" wide, sepals densely hairy, forming a bell-shaped tube with no ribs, petals 2-lobed with toothed tips; inflorescence a few flowers on long stalks from the leaf axils; opens in the evening; blooms June-Aug.
Habitat: moderate moisture; woods, clearings
Conservation Status: Threatened