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Caryophyllaceae
Royal Catchfly
Silene regia
Rarity and passionate spirit.
- Family
- Caryophyllaceae
- Genus
- Silene
- Native to
- Central United States, Eastern United States
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Type
- perennial
- Height
- 2-4 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun to partial shade
- Soil
- well-drained, rocky, loam
- Water
- low to moderate
- Hardiness
- 4-8
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- It is one of the rarest native wildflowers in the eastern United States, listed as endangered in several states.
- Its brilliant scarlet flowers are specifically adapted to attract ruby-throated hummingbirds as pollinators.
- The sticky stem hairs that give catchflies their name trap small insects, possibly to prevent nectar theft by crawling bugs.
- It was once common in tallgrass prairies but has declined dramatically due to habitat loss from agriculture.
- Royal catchfly can live for decades in undisturbed sites, producing more flower stalks each year as it matures.
Color meanings
0
passion
1
rare beauty
2
wild spirit