English: Bladder Campion; Maidenstears.
German: Behen vulgaris; Behenantha behen; Oberna behen; Oberna marginata; Oncerum glareosum; Oncerum globosum; Viscago behen.
Family:
CaryophyllaceaeRegion: Europe and Western Asia; naturalized in many other parts of the world, including North America.
Habitat: meadows, grasslands, rocky slopes, and roadside verges. Prefers well-drained soils and can tolerate poor soil conditions.
Uses: young leaves and shoots used in salads and cooked dishes; ornamental, gardening for its attractive flowers and unique bladder-like calyx; medicinal as mild diuretic and for treating wounds.
BotanyHerb; perennial.
Root: fibrous root system.
Leaves: lanceolate to ovate; opposite; smooth texture, sometimes slightly glaucous.
Inflorescence: clusters of small, delicate flowers.
Flowers: white or pale pink; inflated, bladder-like calyx around the base of each flower.
Pollinators: bees, moths, and butterflies.