Silene coeli-rosa (L.) Godr.

Taprooted annual. Stems 1-several, erect, glabrous, (15)–20–45 cm tall. Lvs glabrous or sparsely scabrid-ciliate on margin, green, linear to narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, sessile, shortly connate in pairs, (20)–40–100 × (1)–2–5–(10) mm. Infl. a lax (1)–3–7–(15)-flowered irregular dichasium; pedicels (2.5)–4–6–(10) cm long; bracts leaflike. Fls ☿. Calyx glabrous, broadest in middle, contracted at mouth, veined on 10 thickened ridges, (15)–20–28 mm long; teeth linear-acuminate, erecto-patent. Petals pink or white to bluish (bluish when dry); limb shallowly emarginate; claw not lobed; coronal scales acute, dark, c. 2 mm long. Styles 5, erect, curved at apex, c. 10 mm long. Capsule narrow-ovoid, included in calyx, 15–20 mm long; teeth 5, 2-fid; carpophore 6–8 mm long. Seeds dark grey-brown, reniform, warty, 0.8 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Nov.–Dec.; Fruiting: Dec.–Feb.