Silene armeria

Silene armeria
Sweet William catchfly
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Core eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Genus: Silene
Species: S. armeria
Binomial name
Silene armeria
L.

Silene armeria, commonly known as the Sweet William catchfly, is a plant of the family Caryophyllaceae. Originally a native of Europe, it has become widespread in the United States. Perennial in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 to 8. A small-growing form is known as dwarf catchfly. The name comes from the way in which small insects are trapped by the sticky sap exuded onto the stem. However it is not currently regarded as a carnivorous plant, though it has been identified as a carnivorous plant in the past.[1]

Description

Figure from book „Deutschlands Flora in Abbildungen“
Bracteate inflorescence of Sweet William catchfly (Silene armeria)
The Lithuanian former 50 litas silver Coin featuring Sweet William catchfly (Silene armeria syn. Silene lituanica)[2]

The plant between 20–70 cm in height. Leaves numerous 2.5–5 cm long, elliptic, oval, or narrowly oval, smooth. Blooming period in British Isles - Jun-Oct. Clusters of pink or lavender flowers arranged somewhat openly or compactly at end of stems. Stem hairless (glabrous) or slightly hairy with sticky areas, especially just below the cluster.

Habitat

A plant native of Europe in roadsides, weedy places. Has been introduced to North America and latter escaped cultivation become an invasive species.

Note

Some parts of plant are poisonous if ingested.

Synonyms

WCSPF defines the following Silene armeria L. synonyms:[3]

The source marks all these WCSPF synonym entries as "low confidence" and "awaiting review".[3] Silene lituanica that has been described as species in 1911 was still considered species by Lithuanian botanists in 2009[4] and as such is included into the list of extinct and endangered species of Lithuania since 1962.

References

  1. ↑ Williams, Amy. (1913). Carnivorous plants of Ohio. The Ohio Naturalist, 13(5): 97-99.
  2. ↑ 9999.lt / 50 litas Coin featuring Lithuanian Nature, 2009
  3. 1 2 theplantlist.org / Silene armeria L.
  4. ↑ Leaflet of the Lithuanian Silene coin, includes description of species and its areal.
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