Moss Campion grows on alpine tundra in spreading tufts of moss-like green.  Barely above the tight cushion of tiny leaves, an array of five-petaled pink/lavender flowers arises and, with normal precipitation, often completely covers the green cushion.  Silene acaulis is commonly found near white Alpine Phlox and various white Chickweeds, all very tiny plants with masses of very tiny flowers, very tiny leaves, and very pleasant fragrances.  

The Silene genus was named by Linnaeus in 1753, and the name is, according to the Flora of North America, "probably derived from "Silenus", the intoxicated foster father of the Greek god Bacchus, [god of wine] who was described as covered with foam; perhaps alluding to the viscid secretion covering many species [in the Silene  genus]".   Linnaeus named this species Cucubalus acaulis.   In 1762 Joseph von Jacquin (1727-1817) renamed it Silene acaulis.  "A caulis", Latin and Greek for "without stem", is common botanical nomenclature and a fairly common specific epithet.

Silene acaulis (Moss Campion)
Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family)

Alpine. Tundra. Summer.
Madden Peak, June 23, 2004 and Spiller/Helmet Ridge, July 11, 2006.

Leaves are short and very narrow and flower petals are notched, i.e., "pinked", on their tips -- thus the common family name, Pink Family.

Silene acaulis (Moss Campion)
Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family)

Alpine. Tundra. Summer.
Below Spiller/Helmet Ridge, July 11, 2006.

Silene acaulis is a lovely, common, and wide spread plant found throughout mountainous western Canada, the United States, and much of Europe.

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Silene acaulis