Family: Caryophyllaceae
dichotoma silene, forked catchfly
Emmet J. Judziewicz
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, 1'-3' tall forb
Leaves: lower stalked, upper stalkless
Flowers: white to pink, 5-parted, 5/8" wide, stalkless, sepals forming a narrow tube covered with hairs, petals deeply 2-lobed, 3 styles; inflorescence a long, branched cluster with 1 or more branches (cyme); blooms June-Oct.
Habitat: disturbed sites
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized
Plants: erect, annual, 1'-3' tall forb
Leaves: lower stalked, upper stalkless
Flowers: white to pink, 5-parted, 5/8" wide, stalkless, sepals forming a narrow tube covered with hairs, petals deeply 2-lobed, 3 styles; inflorescence a long, branched cluster with 1 or more branches (cyme); blooms June-Oct.
Habitat: disturbed sites
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized
An uncommon European weed that seems to have been first introduced in far northwestern Wisconsin (where collected in 1915), later spreading south (Schlising & Iltis, 1961). Like other introduced members of the genus, found in disturbed fields and along roadsides and railroads; rarely in sandy prairies.
Flora of North America: Flora of North America USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc.
