Sticky Catchfly

Although the three subspecies of Silene caroliniana have overlapping ranges of distribution, subsp. caroliniana occurs predominently in the southeastern United States, subsp. pensylvanica in the northeast, and subsp. wherryi on the western side of the Appalachians. Intermediate plants are occasionally encountered. A hybrid between subsp. wherryi and S. virginica was reported by J. A. Steyermark (1963), and a hybrid swarm between subsp. pensylvanica and S. virginica by R. S. Mitchell and L. J. Uttal (1969).

Plants perennial, cespitose; tap-root stout; caudex much-branch-ed, woody. Stems ascending, scarcely branched, 8-20(-30) cm, softly pubescent, stipitate-gland-ular or eglandular, rarely glabrate. Leaves mostly basal, petiolate, 3-12 cm (including petiole); cauline leaves in 2-4 pairs, those of mid and distal stem sessile, shorter and narrower; blade narrowly to broadly oblanceolate, base spatulate into winged petiole, apex acute to obtuse, glabrous, puberulent or pilose on both surfaces and frequently stipitate-glandular, at least petioles usually ciliate. Inflorescences (1-)3-15-flowered, open, bracteate; bracts foliaceous. Pedicels ascending or erect, 0.2-0.8(-1.5) cm, densely pubescent and frequently stipitate-glandular. Flowers: calyx usually green, prominently 8-10-veined, in flower narrowly tubular, lobed, narrowed proximally around carpophore, 15-22 × to 5 mm, becoming broader and clavate in fruit, pilose or stipitate-glandular, veins parallel, with pale commissures, lobes round, 1-3 mm, margins usually purple tinged, broad, membranous; petals spreading, usually bright pink, rarely white, broadly to narrowly obovate, 2 times longer than calyx, base tapered into ciliate claw equaling or slightly longer than calyx, margins entire or shallowly lobed and crenulate, auricles absent, appendages oblong, unlobed, 1.5-2 mm; stamens equaling claw; filaments glabrous; styles 3(-4), ultimately slightly exceeding claw. Capsules ellipsoid to obovoid, 8-10 mm, equaling calyx, opening by 6 (or 8) recurved teeth; carpophore 5-8 mm. Seeds dark brown, reniform-rotund, 1.3-1.5 mm, coarsely and evenly papillate.

Silene caroliniana, the sticky catchfly or wild pink, is a spring flowering perennial forb with pink flowers, which is native to the Eastern United States. It is listed as an endangered species by the state of Florida. It is found growing in habitats such as dry rocky or sandy forests, barrens, and outcrops.

The corolla varies in color ranging from a dark pink to white. When in bloom they are visited by pollinators, like large bees, bee flies, and hawkmoths.