Silene capitata Kom.

Together Silene capitata, S. seoulensis, and S. qiyunshanensis form a very peculiar and distinct assemblage, unique in the genus for their petiolate, cordate leaves.

Herbs perennial, underground organs probably similar to those of S. qiyunshanensis. Stems diffuse, 20--40 cm, much branched, densely villous with curved hairs. Leaves petiolate, broadly ovate or cordate-ovate, ca. 2 × 1--1.5 cm, both surfaces villous with curved hairs, base rounded or shallowly cordate, apex acute, mucronulate. Inflorescence capitate; bracts herbaceous, lowermost pair forming an involucrum, distal ones lanceolate, small. Pedicel 2--4 mm, pubescent. Calyx campanulate, ca. 8 mm, densely villous, sparsely glandular hairy, inflated after anthesis. Androgynophore ca. 1 mm, ?glabrous. Petals 1--1.2 cm; claws oblanceolate, glabrous, auricles not prominent; limbs pale red or violet, obovate, deeply bifid to middle or more, lobes entire; coronal scales papillose. Stamens and styles prominently exserted. Capsule ovoid, ca. 5 mm, shorter than calyx. Seeds reniform. Fl. Jun--Jul, fr. Aug.

Jilin (Yalu Jiang) [Korea].