i / o [ 1580 ]
LYCHNIS dioica : flo re albo.
White Campion.
G e n . and S p e c . C h a r . See preceding page.
ß . Flowers white. Relh. 177.
Lychnis dioica. F I. Dan. t. 792.
L. vespertina. Sibth. 146. Sym. 1 1 2 . H ull. 100.
L. sylvestris albo flore. R a il Syn. 3 3 9 .
T h i s variety, as it i3 presumed to be, of Lychnis dioica is
no less common than the red one, but differs from it in place
of growth, being found in rather more exposed situations,
principally open fields, flowering in June and July. The
whole plant is firmer and taller than the foregoing. Leaves
rather more lanceolate than ovate, thicker and less flaccid.
Flowers larger, white, sometimes pale blush-coloured, diffusing
a delicate sweet fragrance in an evening or before rain,
but we do not find them., according to Dr. Sibthorp’s account,
expanded more particularly at that time, for ours were gathered
at noon; nor do the differences indicated by that indefatigable
botanist in the shape of the fruit appear constant to us. We
dissent from him and others, who have made 2 species of
these plants, very unwillingly and with great diffidence. We
have thought the intermediate veins between the calyx-ribs in
the female flower of this white kind, might distinguish it
from the red. The form of the crown of the petals seems a little
different, but experience shows that to be variable. Both
organs of fructification sometimes occur in the same flower in
this variety also.
As we here publish two varieties of the same species, we
have not repeated the characters. Otherwise we deem it
essential, in all periodical publications of this kind, that each
plant should be accompanied by its essential characters, both
generic and specific, in order that the work may without
inconvenience be bound up according to any arrangement
whatever.