Family: Caryophyllaceae
night-flowering catchfly, sticky cockle
[Melandrium noctiflorum (L.) Fr.]
Robert Bierman
Botanical Illustration
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, 8"-32" tall forb with dense, coarse hairs below and sticky hairs above
Leaves: up to 10 pairs along the stem; lower stalked, upper stalkless
Flowers: white, 5-parted, 3/4"-1" wide, fragrant, opening at night; tubular, hairy sepals with purple netted veins inflating in time; petals deeply 2-lobed, somewhat pinkish above and yellow below; 3 styles; inflorescence a loose, branched cluster (cyme) of 3-15 flowers; blooms all summer
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized
Plants: erect, annual, 8"-32" tall forb with dense, coarse hairs below and sticky hairs above
Leaves: up to 10 pairs along the stem; lower stalked, upper stalkless
Flowers: white, 5-parted, 3/4"-1" wide, fragrant, opening at night; tubular, hairy sepals with purple netted veins inflating in time; petals deeply 2-lobed, somewhat pinkish above and yellow below; 3 styles; inflorescence a loose, branched cluster (cyme) of 3-15 flowers; blooms all summer
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized
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. USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc.
Botanical Illustration
Botanical Illustration