Silene occidentalis
Western campion
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Silene occidentalis (Western campion) is a native California herb in the Caryophyllaceae family, recognized by habitat, large flowers, 4-lobed petals, exserted stamens.
Western campion is a California native perennial found in southern Cascade Range and Modoc Plateau, northern Sierra Nevada Mountains in chaparral and conifer forest at elevations of 700 to 2,300 meters. Flowering during summer, this plant produces pink to rose-red flowers with four-lobed petals, delicate and softly colored. Growing 30 to 60 centimeters tall with erect stems that are short-soft-hairy and glandular above, it develops a sparse woody caudex. Its leaves are distinctive, with lower leaves oblanceolate and 5 to 12 centimeters long, gradually reducing in size toward the stem's upper regions. The fruit is an oblong to ovate capsule with a short hairy stalk, containing small gray-brown seeds about 1 to 1.5 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species; distinguished by habitat, large flowers, 4-lobed petals, exserted stamens
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, conifer forest
Elevation: 700-2300 m
Bloom period
Silene occidentalis blooms Summer.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Spigelia: Silene has 5 separate petals in pink family arrangement; Spigelia has tubular red flowers with 5-lobed tips.; vs Pelargonium: Silene has radially symmetric flowers with 5 equal petals; Pelargonium has bilateral flowers with unequal petals.; vs Cistanthe: Silene has a tubular calyx fused around the flower; Cistanthe has 2 separate, rounded sepals that fall off.; vs Castilleja: Silene has showy petals; Castilleja's color comes from bracts hiding tiny tubular flowers.; vs Petrorhagia: Silene has an inflated, rounded calyx tube; Petrorhagia has a narrow, cylindrical calyx with papery bracts below.
Frequently asked questions
Is Silene occidentalis native to California?
Yes. Silene occidentalis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Silene occidentalis bloom?
Silene occidentalis blooms Summer.
What plant family does Silene occidentalis belong to?
Silene occidentalis is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Silene.
Is Silene occidentalis rare or endangered?
Silene occidentalis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Silene occidentalis grow in?
Silene occidentalis grows in Chaparral, conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.