ID_PLANT: SIVI4
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Silene virginica
Include in WOTAS: 1
Publish to Web: 1
Last Modified: 2019-03-25
GENUS INDEX
GENUS CODE: SILEN GENUS SCIENTIFIC:Silene GENUS AUTHORITY: L. GENUS COMMON: Catchfly GENUS SUMMARY: A genus of about 700 species, of Eurasia and North America. GENUS IDENTIFICATION: GENUS REFERENCES: Morton in FNA (2005); Clausen (1939)=Z; Wilbur (1970b)=Y; Bittrich in Kubitzki, Rohwer, & Bittrich (1993). [also see Atocion and Lychnis]
FAMILY INDEX
FAMILY CODE: CARYOP FAMILY SCIENTIFIC:Caryophyllaceae FAMILY AUTHORITY: A.L. de Jussieu 1789 FAMILY COMMON: Pink Family FAMILY SUMMARY: A family of about 86 genera and 2200-3000 species, herbs, shrubs, and trees, nearly cosmopolitan, but mostly Northern Hemisphere. FAMILY REFERENCE: Rabeler & Hartman in FNA (2005); Bittrich in Kubitzki, Rohwer, & Bittrich (1993).
NCBG DESCRIPTIVES
INTRO:Erect to leaning perennial of woodlands, rock outcrops, crevices in cliffs and roadbanks. STEMS: Stems branched from the plant base and covered with sticky hairs. LEAVES: Leaves opposite,petiolate (basal) and sessile (stem), elliptical to oblong-lance-shaped, 1–4 in. long, smooth. INFLORESCENCE: FLOWERS: Flowers in open, branching terminal cluster; red; about 1 1/2 in. wide; consisting of 5 spreading, deeply and unevenly notched petals with a ring of small, red teeth in their center, and a tubularcalyx nearly 1 in. long and covered in sticky hairs. FRUITS:Fruit an ellisoid capsule. COMMENTS: Similar to Silene regia (see p. xx). HEIGHT: 12-18 in. DURATION:
Perennial
HABIT:
Herb
LEAF ARRANGEMENT: LEAF COMPLEXITY:
Simple LEAF RETENTION: FLORAL CHARACTERISTICS
SYMMETRY:
BLOOM TIME: April-July
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
x
x
x
x
x
x
BLOOM COLOR: Red
White
Red
Pink
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Lavender
Purple
Violet
Brown
Not Applicable
x
FRUITING PERIOD: DISTRIBUTION
HABITAT TYPE: Disturbed, Dry forests, Outcrops and glades, Woods margins
NATIVE RANGE: eastern & central N. America HORTICULTURAL
Plant Sale Text: Fire pink has showy red flowers that add vibrant color to the garden. This southeastern native perennial has low-growing rosettes of narrow, lance-shaped leaves. Established plants produce slender upright stems, each bearing a number of its starry crimson flowers. In the wild, it is seen on wooded slopes and along roadsides. Fire pink blooms prolifically in the garden when provided with good drainage and at least half a day of sun. It provides vivid accent to a border or it can be decorative in a container on a patio or deck. 2015 N.C. Wildflower of the Year.
Bloom Table Text: Fire-pink blooms April through June producing eyecatching red (and sometimes pink) blossoms that capture the attention of hummingbirds, butterflies and visitors alike. It can be found in a sunny location but also thrives in our shady woodlands. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies and the seeds attract juncos, pine siskins, and sparrows. The common name “Fire-pink†comes not from the color pink but from the verb “to pink†or cut with a jagged edge, referring to the notching on the petals. Members of this genus are also often referred to as "catchfly" because the stems exude a sticky sap that prevents ants from stealing nectar without pollinating the flower.
NCBG Location: Education Center Landscape, Piedmont Habitat
USDA Symbol: SIVI4
USDA Common Name: Fire Pink
Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Distribution: USA (AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, VA, WI, WV), CAN (ON)
Duration: Perennial
Growth Habit: Forb/herb
WEAKLEY FLORA
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
COMMON NAME:
SYNONYMY:
PHENOLOGY:
HABITAT:
COMMENTS:
RANGE MAP:
Key to Map SymbolsABOUT FAMILY (Weakley Flora) Caryophyllaceae A.L. de Jussieu 1789 (Pink Family) SUMMARY: A family of about 86 genera and 2200-3000 species, herbs, shrubs, and trees, nearly cosmopolitan, but mostly Northern Hemisphere. REFERENCE: Rabeler & Hartman in FNA (2005); Bittrich in Kubitzki, Rohwer, & Bittrich (1993).ABOUT GENUS (Weakley Flora) Silene L. (Catchfly) SUMMARY: A genus of about 700 species, of Eurasia and North America. REFERENCE: Morton in FNA (2005); Clausen (1939)=Z; Wilbur (1970b)=Y; Bittrich in Kubitzki, Rohwer, & Bittrich (1993). [also see Atocion and Lychnis]
HERBARIUM RESOURCES
SERNEC: Find Silene virginica in Southeast Regional Network of Experts and Collections (if available) UNC SERNEC: Find Silene virginica in
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Herbarium - Southeast Regional Network of Experts and Collections (if available)