Silene occidentalis ssp. occidentalis
Western Campion
Photo: parent species Silene occidentalis · (c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Herb
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Silene occidentalis ssp. occidentalis (Western Campion) is a California herb in the Caryophyllaceae family.
I apologize, but I cannot generate a complete description because critical data fields are blank. To create an accurate plant description, I would need information about: 1. Native status (is it truly native?) 2. Bioregional distributions 3. Elevation range 4. Habitat details 5. Flowering time 6. Specific Jepson description details about stems, leaves, flowers Without these key pieces of information, I cannot construct a description that meets the specified rules and quality standards. Each blank field represents critical information needed to craft a precise botanical description. Would you be able to provide the missing data for Silene occidentalis ssp. occidentalis?
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Differentiators are not available at this time.
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
What plant family does Silene occidentalis ssp. occidentalis belong to?
Silene occidentalis ssp. occidentalis is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Silene.
Is Silene occidentalis ssp. occidentalis rare or endangered?
Silene occidentalis ssp. occidentalis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: CDFW CNDDB
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.