WILD LYCHNIS, or CAMPION; a genus of the pentagynia order, belonging to the dandria clas of plants.

Species. The most remarkable are, 1. The githago, hairy wild lychnis, or common campion, which grows naturally in corn-fields in most parts of Britain. The flowers appear in June, are generally purple, sometimes white, and by cultivation yellow. 2. The coronaria, or single rose-campion. Of this species there are four varieties; one with deep red, another with flesh-coloured, a third with white, flowers; and a fort with double flowers, which has turned most of the others out of the gardens. 3. The flo jovis, or umbelliferous mountain-campion, grows naturally upon the Helvetian mountains: it is a low plant with woolly leaves; the flower-stem rises near a foot high; the flowers grow in umbels on the top of the stalk, and are of a bright red colour. They appear in July, and the seeds ripen in September.

Culture. The first and third species are annual plants, so must be propagated by seeds; but as the first is found naturally in corn-fields, it is very seldom cultivated in gardens; the third sort should have a shady situation, and thrives best in a strong soil. The second species is perennial, but only those varieties which have single flowers produce any seeds; the double kind, therefore, as it produces no seeds, must be propagated by parting the roots in autumn, after the flowers are past. In doing this, every head which can be clipped off with roots should be parted: these should be planted in a border of fresh undugged earth, at the distance of six inches one from the other, observing to water them gently until they have taken root; after which they will require no more; for much wet is very injurious to them, as is also dung. In this border they may remain till spring, when they should be planted in the borders of the flower-garden, where they will be very ornamental during the time of their flowering, which is in July and August.—This plant is eaten by horifies.