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.