Family: Caryophyllaceae
sleepy catchfly, sleepy silene
[Silene antirrhina f. apetala L., more...]
Merel R. Black
Merel R. Black
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Silene: probably from Greek sialon, "saliva," referring to gummy exudation on stems, and/or named for Silenus, intoxicated foster-father of Bacchus (god of wine) who was covered with foam, much like the glandular secretions of many species of this genus.
Plants: erect, annual, 2"-32" tall forb, softly hairy below, mostly hairless above except for some sticky bands below the upper nodes
Leaves: long, narrow, finely hairy near the bottom, stalkless but not clasping
Flowers: pink to white, 5-parted, 1/4" wide, sepals forming an often inflated, rounded tube with glands and 10 veins; petals shorter than the sepals and 2-lobed; inflorescence an open, few-flowered cluster; blooms June-Sept.
Habitat: disturbed sites; in rocky, sandy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, annual, 2"-32" tall forb, softly hairy below, mostly hairless above except for some sticky bands below the upper nodes
Leaves: long, narrow, finely hairy near the bottom, stalkless but not clasping
Flowers: pink to white, 5-parted, 1/4" wide, sepals forming an often inflated, rounded tube with glands and 10 veins; petals shorter than the sepals and 2-lobed; inflorescence an open, few-flowered cluster; blooms June-Sept.
Habitat: disturbed sites; in rocky, sandy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Common in sandy open areas such as rock outcrops, dry forests and prairies, Lake Michigan dunes, roadsides, and along railroad tracks. This is our commonest native species in the genus, though quite weedy. The petals are small and tend to shrivel by midday.
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 2 USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key
Merel R. Black
Merel R. Black
Emmet J. Judziewicz
Emmet J. Judziewicz
