Family: Caryophyllaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 419 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Silene
Vegetable: False
Observations: Canada to Mexico (NW. Baja California, Guadalupe)
Description
Sleepy catchfly, scientifically known as Silene antirrhina, is a fascinating and widespread herbaceous species that belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family. This unique plant first received its formal botanical description in the seminal work “Species Plantarum” by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.
Silene antirrhina can be found in a wide geographical range extending from Canada to Mexico, including notable locations such as Northwest Baja California and Guadalupe. This extensive distribution highlights the plant’s adaptability to various climatic and soil conditions across North America.
The distinguishing characteristic of the sleepy catchfly is its tendency to become sticky or “catch” small insects on its stem and leaves, a trait that has intrigued botanists and plant enthusiasts alike. The small pink to white flowers of this plant add a delicate touch to the otherwise rugged environments it inhabits.
Often found in open fields, roadsides, and disturbed areas, the sleepy catchfly thrives best in sunny locations. It is an annual plant, completing its life cycle within a single growing season, which allows it to rapidly colonize available spaces and contribute to the biodiversity of its habitat.
The historical context and broad distribution of Silene antirrhina make it an interesting subject of study for botanists and ecologists, particularly in understanding plant adaptation and survival across diverse environments. The species’ ability to span such a large range from Canada to Mexico underlines its ecological versatility and resilience.
Common Names
Eng: catchfly, sleepy campion, sleepy catchfly, sleepy silene
Hun: habszegfűfaj
Fra: silène muflier
Swe: tjärglim
En: Sleepy catchfly, Sleepy silene, Sleepy campion, Catchfly
Fi: Tervakohokki
Fr: Silène muflier
Hu: Habszegfűfaj
Pt-br: Alfinetes-da-terra-miúdo
Sv: Tjärglim
Synonyms
- Silene antirrhina var. confinis (Fernald)
- Silene antirrhina var. laevigata (Engelm. & A.Gray)
- Silene antirrhina var. divaricata (B.L.Rob.)
- Ebraxis antirrhina ((L.) Tzvelev)
- Silene antirrhina var. minor (Cambess.)
- Saponaria dioica (Cham. & Schltdl.)
- Silene antirrhina var. albiflora (Chodat & Hassl.)
- Silene antirrhina var. vaccariifolia (Rydb.)
- Silene antirrhina var. roseiflora (Chodat & Hassl.)
- Ebraxis virgata (Raf.)
- Silene antirrhina var. subglabra (Engelm. & A.Gray)
- Silene antirrhina f. bicolor (Farw.)
- Silene antirrhina f. apetala (Farw.)
- Gypsophila dioica (Spreng.)
- Silene antirrhina var. depauperata (Rydb.)
- Silene antirrhina f. deaneana (Fernald)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Alberta (native)
- Arizona (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- California (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Delaware (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- Florida (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Maine (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Montana (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- Nevada (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- New York (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Utah (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Virginia (native)
- Washington (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Wyoming (native)
- Argentina Northeast (introduced)
- Argentina Northwest (introduced)
- Argentina South (introduced)
- Brazil South (introduced)
- Brazil Southeast (introduced)
- Japan (introduced)
- Paraguay (introduced)
- Peru (introduced)
- Uruguay (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Jul 5, 2022 by Adam Clark (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)
Fruit
Taken Apr 12, 2016 by EOL − Bob O’Kennon (cc-by-nc)
Habit
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)
Taken Mar 10, 2016 by EOL − Tony Palmer (cc-by-nc)
Taken Mar 10, 2016 by EOL − Tony Palmer (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 15, 2016 by EOL − Sam Kieschnick (cc-by-nc)
Taken Apr 12, 2016 by EOL − Bob O’Kennon (cc-by-nc)
Leaf
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)
Bark
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5384747)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:156818-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Silene antirrhina L.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb