Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Silene antirrhina Linnaeus
(Sleepy Catchfly)

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
None

Silene antirrhina is a small herb that some botanists feel is a carnivorous plant. It has sticky red bands on the stem that trap flies and ants. Another theory about the reason for the bands is to prevent insects from climbing up the stem and attacking the reproductive parts. The flowers are small, with pink and emarginate (notched) petals. Silene antirrhina is found in a variety of habitats from lower elevation rocky hillsides to moist meadows at middle elevation.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Silene antirrhina, photo Russ Kleinman & Kelly Kindscher, Lake Roberts, July 15, 2007



Silene antirrhina, sticky band of this carnivorous plant with attached insects, photo Russ Kleinman & Kelly Kindscher, Lake Roberts, July 15, 2007



Silene antirrhina, growth habit, photo Russ Kleinman, Sycamore Canyon near Cliff, April 19, 2010



Silene antirrhina, 1X field macro of flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Sycamore Canyon near Cliff, April 19, 2010



Silene antirrhina, lateral closeup of flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Sycamore Canyon near Cliff, April 19, 2010



Silene antirrhina, closeup of basal portion of plant, photo Russ Kleinman, Sycamore Canyon near Cliff, April 19, 2010



Silene antirrhina, plant measured with standard 15cm rule, photo Russ Kleinman, Sycamore Canyon near Cliff, April 19, 2010


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