Silene gigantea, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1964, Flora Europaea - Volume 1. Lycopodiaceae to Platanaceae, Cambridge University Press : 164

14. S. gigantea L. , Sp. Pl. 418 (1753).

Robust biennial up to 100 cm, usually unbranched, with a well-developed basal rosette of thick, spathulate leaves; stem and leaves pubescent. Inflorescence-branches short and pseudo-verticillate (or long and rather diffuse, var. incana (Griseb.) Chowdhuri ). Flowers rather small. Calyx 8-12 mm. Petals white, pink or greenish. Capsule c. 3 times as long as carpophore. Aegean region; Balkan peninsula northwards to 42° 30' N. Al Bu Cr Gr Ju.

The typical plant is apparently less widespread than the var. incana (Griseb.) Chowdhuri (5. rhodopaea Janka) which is less hairy, with narrower leaves and a laxly paniculate inflorescence.