Silene viscidula Franch.

Silene viscidula is a complex that could be split into about three species differing, for example, in indumentum, inflorescence structure, size of calyx and petals, and degree of exsertion of petals. One form has a thyrse (including the types of Silene bodinieri, S. dumicola, and S. mairei ) and multicellular, often glandular hairs together with recurved, short, unicellular, eglandular hairs; another form has terminal dichasia and multicellular, often glandular hairs only. The latter form also has smaller flowers (calyx 7–8 mm) and less exserted petal claws (by 2–3 mm). This applies also to the type of S. viscidula at P. Another species in the vicinity of this complex is S. phoenicodonta, which is distinguished by its small flowers and fringed petal auricles.

The roots are used medicinally.

Herbs perennial, pubescent throughout. Roots clustered, dark brown, cylindric. Stems diffusely branched, to 80 cm, apically glandular hairy. Leaves elliptic, 3--6 cm, 1.5--2 × as long as broad, both surfaces slightly tuberculate-scabrid or shortly pubescent, margin shortly ciliate, midvein prominent, base cuneate or attenuate into short petiole, apex acute. Dichasia large, the first internodes very long (often 5--10 cm), distally dense, densely glandular villous; flowers erect, 1--1.2 cm in diam. Pedicel of first flower subequaling or longer than calyx, pedicels of other flowers usually shorter than calyx; bracts ovate-lanceolate, herbaceous. Calyx campanulate, (6--)8--10 mm, densely glandular villous, base rounded, longitudinal veins violet; calyx teeth ovate-lanceolate, apex acute. Androgynophore 1--2 mm, glabrous, furrowed. Petals pale red, 1--2 cm, claws exserted 2--5 mm beyond calyx, oblanceolate, glabrous, auricles not prominent, limb bifid to ca. 1/2; lobes narrow, sometimes with 1 slender lateral tooth. Stamens and styles prominently exserted (2--3 mm); filaments glabrous. Capsule ovoid, 5--8 mm, shorter than calyx. Seeds dark brown to black, globose-reniform, ca. 1 mm. Fl. Jul--Aug, fr. Sep--Oct.

Guizhou, Sichuan, SE Xizang, Yunnan.

* Scrub grasslands; (1200--)1500--3200 m.

Melandrium lankongense (Franchet) Handel-Mazzetti; M. viscidulum (Franchet) F. N. Williams; Silene asclepiadea Franchet var. dumicola (W. W. Smith) C. L. Tang); S. bodinieri H. Léveillé; S. dumicola W. W. Smith; S. lankongensis Franchet; S. mairei H. Léveillé.