Silene oregana
Oregon campion
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Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Silene oregana (Oregon campion) is a native California herb in the Caryophyllaceae family, recognized by white-pink flowers, included stamens, 4-6 appendages.
Oregon campion is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in northern California Ranges, northern Sierra Nevada, Modoc Plateau, and White and Inyo Mountains in sagebrush scrub and subalpine conifer forest at elevations of 1,500 to 2,500 meters. Flowering in summer, this plant produces white to pink flowers with delicate four to six-lobed petals. Growing 30 to 50 centimeters tall with erect stems that are puberulent and glandular toward the upper portions, it develops a sparse caudex. Its leaves transition distinctively from lower oblanceolate leaves 7 to 12 millimeters wide to upper lanceolate leaves 2 to 6 millimeters wide. The fruit is an elliptic to ovoid capsule with a short 3 to 4 millimeter puberulent stalk.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 17 sympatric species; distinguished by white-pink flowers, included stamens, 4-6 appendages
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sagebrush scrub, subalpine conifer forest
Elevation: 1500-2500 m
California counties: Modoc, Mono, Tuolumne, Sierra, Shasta
Outside California: to Washington, Montana, Wyoming
Bloom period
Silene oregana blooms Summer.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
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 oregana native to California?
Yes. Silene oregana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Silene oregana bloom?
Silene oregana blooms Summer.
Where in California does Silene oregana grow?
Silene oregana occurs in Modoc, Mono, Tuolumne, Sierra, Shasta, at elevations of 1500-2500 m.
What plant family does Silene oregana belong to?
Silene oregana is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Silene.
Is Silene oregana rare or endangered?
Silene oregana carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · 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.