Species name :

Silene fruticosaL.
Published in Sp. Pl. 417 (1753)

Synonyms :
(basionym or principal syn.)

No Main Synonyms

Plant Family :

Caryophyllaceae Juss. (The Pink or Carnation Family)
39 species from the Caryophyllaceae family are recorded from the Maltese Islands.

English name(s) :

Woody Catchfly, Shrubby Campion

Maltese name(s) :

Lsien l-Għasfur tal-Blat

Status for Malta :

Indigenous. Present on the Maltese islands before man

Frequency :

Very Common     Common    Frequent     Scarce     Rare    Very rare     Extinct

Growth form :

Raunkiaer lifeform [info]: CHAMEOPHYTE ( dwarf or small woody shrubs )
Germination [info]: Dicotyledon

Legal Protection :

Protected by law: Schedule VI of [S.L. 549.44] (strictly protected species)

Red List (1989) :

Threatened status for the Maltese Islands and has been listed in the Red Data Book (1st ed.)

Flowering Time :

April – June

Colour of Flowers:

Pink

Name Derivation :

Silene: "probably from the Greek ""sialon"" (=saliva) referring to the viscous excretion of several species. Another derivation could come from the name Silenus, the intoxicated foster-father of Bacchus (god of wine) who was covered with foam, much like the glandular secretions of many species of this genus". (Greek origin )

fruticosa: Having a shrubby or bushy appearance. (Latin origin )

Remarks :

A very rare plant found in few sites along the Western coast of Gozo.