bladder campion

Silene vulgaris

The bladder campion (Silene vulgaris) is a small flowering plant with a showy white bloom. Its vibrant flowers feature four petals with a pink center and characteristic inflated yellow bladder that gives the species its name. Bladder campions can be found on roadsides throughout North America and Europe and can easily spring up in grassy areas. They provide food for numerous flying insects and are quite drought and cold tolerant. It makes an attractive ground cover and can be a spectacular sight when allowed to carpet an area.