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Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Silene laciniata (Cardinal catchfly)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Silene laciniata Cav.

Cardinal catchfly, Southern Indian pink, Mexican campion, Catchfly

Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family)

USDA Symbol: SILA2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Cardinal catchfly or southern indian pink’s one to several, 1-2 1/2 ft. stems are slender and weak, often leaning against other vegetation. Showy, brilliant-red, tubular flowers, with five jagged petals, occur at branch ends. Leaves are densely covered with sticky hairs.

S. laciniata ssp. major is the form occuring in California. This subspecies has been divided into two varieties: var. angustifolia for plants near the coast and var. latifolia for interior plants. Subspecies greggii occurs in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. The flowers attract hummingbirds.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , NM , TX
Native Distribution: W. TX to c. CA, s. to Mex.
Native Habitat: Pine forests; grassy or brushy slopes
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Description: Rich, gravelly soils.
Conditions Comments: S. laciniata ssp. major is the form occuring in CA. This ssp. has been divided into two varieties: var. angustifolia for plants near the coast and var. latifolia for interior plants. The typical S. laciniata occurs in the Mex. Cordillera. Stems can be cut back just after flowering to encourage new growth later.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Flowers attract hummingbirds.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Propagate with seeds, root sections or cuttings.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: No treatment is required.
Commercially Avail: yes

Bibliography

Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Silene laciniata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Silene laciniata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Silene laciniata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2010-05-02
Research By: TWC Staff

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