Silene
Family: Caryophyllaceae
English: Campion Or Catchfly
Botanists named it Silene in memory of the Satyrs and Seilinoi in Dionysiac mythology.
This herb is both annual and perennial numbering 400 species.
Approximately 77 species are found in the Greek flora (Silene italica, S. gigantean, S. vulgaris, S. suffrutescens, S. cretica, S. pinetorum, S. compacta, S. graeca). The lance-shaped leaves of the plant (S. vulgaris) are collected when young from December to April.
They are combined with fennel and spinach for the stuffing of spinach pies. The leaves have a sub-bitter taste and discrete aroma.
Popular Greek names:
"Htypalo", "Stroufoulia", "Papoules", "Strouthi", "Fouskoudi", "Koukaki".
