Native Plants
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Silene acaulis
Silene acaulis (L.) Jacq.
Moss Campion, Cushion Pink
Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: SIAC
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), GL (N), SPM (N)
This popular rock garden plant makes tight, moss-like cushions of almost spiny, glossy leaves which seem to flow over the rocks. Long, woody taproots anchor the perennial deeply in rock crevices. In flower, pink to lavender, five-petaled blossoms dot the bright-green mat in profusion. Dwarf plant, forming dense tussocks, with solitary pink to violet flowers at the ends of leafy branches.
This beautiful little mountain-dwelling wildflower forms extensive moss-like carpets in the western mountains but appears only locally in the East, where Mt. Washington in New Hampshire is its southern limit.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Pink , PurpleBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AK , AZ , CO , ID , ME , MT , NH , NM , NV , OR , UT , WA , WYCanada: NS
Native Distribution: Circumpolar (var. exscapa), s. in N. America to OR, ID, n. MT & NH; extending s. in the Rockies to NM & AZ as var. subacaulescens
Native Habitat: Moist, chalky rock crevices in high mts.
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Description: Rich, scree soil.
Conditions Comments: This is a trouble-free, rock garden plant.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesPropagation
Description: Can be propagated from stem cuttings. Plants come easily from seed, and should be transplanted to the rockery when the rosettes get 1-2 in. across.Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | UPL | UPL | FAC | UPL | UPL |
Additional resources
USDA: Find Silene acaulis in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Silene acaulis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Silene acaulis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2015-12-09Research By: TWC Staff