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Native Plant Database

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Silene stellata (Widow's frill)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Silene stellata (L.) Ait. f.

Widow's frill, Starry campion

Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family)

Synonyms: Silene stellata var. scabrella

USDA Symbol: sist

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

An erect, loosely branching, perennial with lance-shaped leaves in whorls of four and terminal clusters of white, tubular flowers with flaring, deeply fringed petals. The sticky-stemmed plants average 2-3 ft. high. Deeply fringed, 5-petaled white flowers clustered atop tall slender stalks, with leaves mostly in whorls of 4.

This delicate wildflower is pollinated by butterflies and many kinds of moths. It is often grown in wildflower gardens.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

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

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Native Distribution: RI to MN, s. to GA, AR, OK & e. TX
Native Habitat: Dry, upland woods; wooded slopes
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Rich soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Propagation

Description: 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.
Seed Collection: This plant declines quickly after flowering so it is best to flag the plant. Seeds mature 2-3 weeks after the bloom period. Vigorous plants may have flowers and dehisced capsules at the same time. Mature capsules should be swollen, pale green or tan, and split readily when pinched. Refrigerate in sealed containers.
Seed Treatment: 3-4 weeks of cold-moist stratification.

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Toadshade Wildflower Farm - Frenchtown, NJ

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

* The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-12-09
Research By: TWC Staff

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