Silene virginica

fire pink, scarlet catchfly
Family

Caryophyllaceae

Leaf Arrangement

opposite

Leaf Attachment

petiolate, sessile

Leaf Type

simple

Leaf Shape

elliptic, lanceolate, oblanceolate, spatulate

Growth Form

forb

Flower Color

red

Flower Petals

5

Flower Month

April - September

Height (meters)

0.2 - 0.8

Milky Sap

No

Armed/Unarmed

Unarmed

Origin

native

Lifespan

perennial


Cultural Information

Propagate by seed or cuttings. Seeds can be sown outdoors immediately after collection or stored, pretreated and sown later. Divide mature plants in late fall or early spring by removing outer rosettes.

Animal Use

Flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Seeds attract juncos, pine siskins, sparrows, water pipits, and horned larks.

Habitat

Open, moist or dry woods and rocky slopes.