The Pink Family (Caryophyllaceae)
	Family Description	Despite the name, not all flowers in this family are pink. These plants are herbs - with opposite pairs of leaves, growing at right angles to the pair below. This family contains Campions, Sandworts, Stitchworts, Chickweeds, Mouse-ears, Spurries, Catchflies, Soapworts and the so-called Pinks. From the Pink Family, you can now explore: White Campion Red Campion Greater Stitchwort
	White Campion Silene latifolia	Campions are members of the pink family, which have a fruit capsule. The White Campion has white flowers and sticky hairs.
	Habitat	Often on dry limestone soils. Arable and wasteland and waysides. It grows well on disturbed ground and so is often found at roadsides and on farmers' fields.
	Special features	The flowers are white. Spearhead-shaped leaves. The petals are deeply notched. Generally taller than its relative, Red Campion.
	Reproduction	White Campion often breeds with Red Campion, to produce a plant known as a hybrid which has pink flowers. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants. The flowers become fragrant in the evening. Moths are attracted to the flowers and fly about from flower to flower, doing the job of pollination. Seed capsules grow with 10 erect teeth.
	Distribution	Seasonal Flowers can appear from May to October. Geographical Throughout Britain.
	Folklore	Folk used to believe that if you picked the White Campion, you would bring death to your mother.
	Fun Fact	In Cumberland, this flower was often called "White Riding Hood".
	Red Campion Silene dioica	The flowers of the Red Campion, are not actually red, but instead, they are a bright pink colour.
	Habitat	Limestone or nutrient-rich soils. Common in woods and hedges and on rocky slopes and cliffs. Deciduous woodland and grassy meadows.
	Special features	Oblong leaves. Stem and leaves are covered with soft hairs. Short creeping stems.
	Reproduction	The unscented male and female flowers are on different plants. The seeds are black and rough. Pink flowered hybrids between Red and White Campion are common.
	Distribution	Seasonal Flowers can be seen from May to November. Geographical Throughout Britain.
	Folklore	People used to fear this plant. They associated it with snakes, devils, goblins and death.
	Fun Fact	If you mix pink and white paint, you get light pink paint. If you mix Red and White Campion, you get hybrid light pink flowers!

	Greater Stitchwort Stellaria holostea	This is a rather straggly plant, with white flowers. Its stems grow up to 2 feet long.
	Habitat	Woods and road verges. Nutrient-rich or slightly acid soil.
	Special features	Each petal is cleft - which means that it has a deep notch in the middle. The leaves grow straight out of the central stem (they do not grow on stalks). The leaves are narrow and rough around the edges. The stems are weak, square and rough.
	Reproduction	Greater Stitchwort is pollinated by bees, beetles, butterflies, moths and other insects.
	Distribution	Geographical Throughout Britain. Seasonal Distribution One of the earliest spring flowers, appearing from April to June.
	Folklore	People used to think that this plant could cure a "stitch" - a pain in the side of the body, hence the name "Stitchwort".
	Fun Fact	Stitchwort is also known as "Star of the Wood" and "Star of Bethlehem."