Native Plants

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.

Enter a Plant Name:
Or you can choose a plant family:

Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Silene hookeri

Silene hookeri Nutt.

Hooker's Silene, Dusty Pink, Ground Pink

Caryophyllaceae (Pink Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: SIHO

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

The numerous, gray-leafy stems of this perennial are prostrate, often rooting at the base, with tips ascending 2-10 in. off the ground. Flowers are large with a long tube and deeply slashed petals. Color ranges from nearly white to coral pink. A hairy gray plant with many short spreading stems in a cluster, few branches, and several flowers with deeply divided petals at branch ends.

The species of this plant is named for William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865), who was Director of Kew Gardens from 1841-1865. He wrote "Flora boreali-americana" and many other works. He was founder and editor of "Journal of Botany".

From the Image Gallery

4 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 10 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Pink , Green
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Coral pink or white with greenish center.

Distribution

USA: CA , OR
Native Distribution: N. CA to OR
Native Habitat: Fields; open to wooded hillsides

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Description: Very well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: Does best with in rock gardens with summer heat and generous winter rains.

Propagation

Description: Easily propagated by cuttings or seed.
Commercially Avail: yes

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-27
Research By: TWC Staff

Go back