Ragged Robin
Silene flos-cuculi
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Conservation Status
Green, least concern
Best Time to See
May, June
Natural Habitat
Wetter woods and meadows.
A wild flower with a rakish charm. Ragged robin’s dishevelled beauty enlivens many a damp meadow.
How to spot it
Petals deep pink or white, each divided into four narrow lobes. Leaves are narrow and rough to touch.
How’s it doing?
Many counties have recorded a local decline, mainly from habitat loss to agriculture.
Did you know?
Ragged-robin is dedicated to St. Barnabas. Why? Hay-making took place around his Feast Day (11th June) and this bright pink flower would been found amongst the hay.
In Shakespeare’s time it was known as Crowflower and is one of the flowers in Ophelia’s “garland”.
In the the Victorian “Language of Flowers” it symbolises ardour, aversion, and wit.
It is particularly attractive to long-tongued bees.
www.plantlife.org.uk for more information
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