Bladder Campion

Silene vulgaris

Seedlings
Cotyledons are 3 to 12 mm long, 1 to 2 1/2 mm wide, elliptical in outline, without hairs, and yellowish green in color.

Leaves
Initially develop as somewhat of a basal rosette. Leaves are ovate to lance-shaped, and are easily confused as the leaves of a grass when this occurs as a weed in grass forages. Leaves are approximately 1 1/4 to 3 inches long and are without hairs.

Stems
Erect, branching, reaching 3 1/3 feet in height. Stems are without hairs.

Flowers
Occur in clusters of 5 to 30 white flowers that are each approximately 20 mm in width. Individual flowers consist of 5 white petals that are deeply lobed or split and resemble a "V". The flowers also have bladder-like cases which are actually fused inflated sepals with 20 distinct pink to white veins.

Roots
Rhizomes and a fibrous root system.

Identifying Characteristics
The hairless, opposite leaves and lobed, bladder-like flowers are all characteristics that help in the identification of bladder campion. White Campion (Silene alba) is very similar in appearance and growth habit, but has hairs on the leaves and stems unlike bladder campion.

Trouble identifying a weed?

For additional assistance identifying weeds, contact Dr. Kevin Braldly, State Extension Weed Scientist (bradleyke@missouri.edu).

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Bladder Campion

Silene vulgaris

Trouble identifying a weed?