Wikimedia Commons
Caryophyllaceae
German Catchfly
Lychnis viscaria
Snare and trap.
- Family
- Caryophyllaceae
- Genus
- Lychnis
- Native to
- Europe, Western Asia
- Bloom season
- Late Spring, Early Summer
- Type
- Perennial
- Height
- 30-60 cm
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil
- Well-draining, sandy
- Water
- Low to moderate
- Hardiness
- 3-8
- Lifespan
- Perennial
Did you know
- The sticky bands on the stems trap small crawling insects, preventing them from reaching the nectar, hence 'catchfly'.
- The Latin name 'viscaria' means sticky, referring to the gluey substance on the stems.
- In Scandinavia, it was traditionally picked for Midsummer celebrations and woven into wreaths.
- The sticky stem zones protect the flowers from nectar-robbing ants who cannot fly to the flowers.
- It was once used to make a preparation called 'birdlime' to trap small birds on sticky branches.
Color meanings
0
Invitation to dance
1
Fascination
2
Youthful energy