This is an uncommon native rhizomatous perennial of thin woods on fertile alluvial soil in midwestern states, and locally eastward to Mass., Pa., Tenn. and n. Ga (K). It was reported by Abbott et al. (2001) from Manchester Island, in the Ohio River (LEWI). It is related to the European species, S. vulgaris, but tetraploid (2n = 48 versus 24) like virtually all other native species of Silene in eastern states.