Silene laciniata is a perennial herb in the family (Caryophyllaceae), commonly known as fringed Indian pink, cardinal catchfly,USDA Mexican campion, Mexican-pink,Southwestern and Texas Wildflowers, Niehaus/Ripper/Savage, 1984, pp 296-297 and campion.Flowering Plants of the Santa Monica Mountains, Nancy Dale, 2nd Ed., pp 92-93
It is native to the southwestern United States from California to Texas, as well as northern Mexico.
Description
Growth pattern Silene laciniata grows from a taproot and has one or many decumbent to erect stems which may exceed a meter (3 ft.) in height. many stems.
Leaves and stems The slender, branching stem is glandular and sticky.
The lance-shaped leaves are up to about 10 centimeters long by 2 wide, with smaller ones occurring on upper parts of the plant.
Inflorescence and fruit The inflorescence may have one flower or many, each on a long pedicel. The flower has a tubular green or reddish calyx of fused sepals which is lined with ten prominent veins. The five bright red petals are each divided deeply into 4 to 6 long, pointed lobes, sometimes appearing fringed.
The pistil has three parts. There are ten stamens.
Subspecies Subspecies include: Silene laciniata subsp. brandegeei Silene laciniata subsp. californica Silene laciniata subsp. greggii Silene laciniata subsp. laciniata Silene laciniata subsp. major Jepson Manual: Silene laciniata subsp. major
References
External links CalFlora Database: Silene laciniata (cardinal catchfly) USDA Plants Profile for Silene laciniata (cardinal catchfly) Jepson eFlora: Silene laciniata Flora of North America Silene laciniata — U.C. Photo gallery