Lychnis flos-cuculi - Ragged-robin - (Caryophyllaceae)

This is a flower of damp places. In some marshy areas it grows in large quantities, but for the most part it is sparsely distributed in Wales. It is common and widespread in other parts of the UK and Ireland, but is declining due to land drainage and destruction of its habitat.

This lovely wildflower is widespread throughout Northern and Central Europe and we have photographed it in many countries including Slovenia.

A lovely display of Ragged Robin in a damp field

This flower inhabitats damp or marshy areas.

This aptly named flower blooms mainly in May and June, and from a distance it is easily mistaken for red campion.

A closeup of Ragged Robin

Occasionally you may come across an all-white variety of Ragged-robin, but pale to mid pink is more normal. It is very hard to capture the true colour of this flower in a photograph - the pink has far less of a blue element than that of Campion - more like the bubblegum that I chewed as a child!

The pictures on this page were taken in Newborough Warren National Nature Reserve in Anglesey, North Wales in June.