Silene laciniata

Silene laciniata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Caryophyllaceae
Genus:	Silene
Species:	S. laciniata
Binomial name
	Silene laciniata; Cav.

Silene laciniata, Elfin Forest Natural Area, California

Silene laciniata is a perennial herb in the family (Caryophyllaceae), commonly known as fringed Indian pink, cardinal catchfly,^[1] Mexican campion,^[2] Mexican-pink,^[3] and campion.^[4]

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^{[citation needed]} to erect^{[citation needed]} stems which may exceed a meter (3 ft.)^{[citation needed]} in height. many stems.^[4]

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.^[4] There are ten stamens.^[4]

Subspecies[]

Subspecies include:

Silene laciniata subsp. brandegeei
Silene laciniata subsp. californica
Silene laciniata subsp. greggii
Silene laciniata subsp. laciniata
Silene laciniata subsp. major ^[5]

References[]

^ USDA
^ Quattrocchi, Umberto (2012-05-03). CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology (5 Volume Set). CRC Press. ISBN 9781420080445.
^ Southwestern and Texas Wildflowers, Niehaus/Ripper/Savage, 1984, pp 296-297
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d Flowering Plants of the Santa Monica Mountains, Nancy Dale, 2nd Ed., pp 92-93
^ Jepson Manual: Silene laciniata subsp. major

External links[]

[1] USDA

[2] Quattrocchi, Umberto (2012-05-03). CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology (5 Volume Set). CRC Press. ISBN 9781420080445.

[SWTW-3] Southwestern and Texas Wildflowers, Niehaus/Ripper/Savage, 1984, pp 296-297

[FPSMM-4] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d Flowering Plants of the Santa Monica Mountains, Nancy Dale, 2nd Ed., pp 92-93

[5] Jepson Manual: Silene laciniata subsp. major

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