Lychnis

Lychnis is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the pink family, Caryophyllaceae. These plants are native to the north-temperate zone and are characterized by terminal cymes of showy red or white flowers, typically with five styles. The name Lychnis comes from the Greek word for lamp, possibly due to the bright color of the flowers.1

While Lychnis is recognized as a distinct genus, it's important to note that members of the genus Lychnis are often included within the larger genus Silene. The taxonomy of these groups has been a subject of debate. Silene, which encompasses many species commonly called campions, includes about 900 species distributed worldwide, with some cultivated as ornamental plants.2