Silene stellata

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Silene stellata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Genus: Silene
Species:
S. stellata
Binomial name
Silene stellata

Silene stellata, known by the common names starry campion, widow's frill, and whorled catchfly, is a perennial herbaceous summer forb with white flowers, native to the central and eastern United States. It grows in habitats such as forests, river flats, and tall grass prairies.

Description[edit]

S. stellata grows to a height of 0.3–1 metre (1–3 ft), with one or multiple stems rising from the rootstock. The stems are a purplish color near the bottom and a pale green toward the top, except at leaf nodes, which are also a purplish color. Leaves are lanceolate, sessile, and have a smooth margin. They are opposite near the bottom of the plant and in whorls of 4 on the rest of the stem. Leaves are up to 10 centimetres (4 in) long and 3.8 centimetres (1.5 in) wide. The inflorescence is a loose panicle consisting of several branches, each with 1 to 6 or more white flowers with 5 petals. Flowers are up to 1.9 centimetres (0.75 in) wide.[1] The flowers have no scent.[2]

Etymology[edit]

Silene is from the Greek god Silenus. Stellata means "star-shaped" in Latin.

Distribution and habitat[edit]

The plant can be found in woods, river flats, and tall grass prairies, and it prefers a dry to mesic habitat with light shade or partial sun.[2][3] It is native to the central and eastern United States, from Texas to the west and Vermont to the east and north.[4]

Ecology[edit]

S. stellata blooms from June to September for 3 to 4 weeks.[5] The white flowers close when there is bright sun.[1] Moths are the primary pollinators, although butterflies also pollinate the flowers.[2] The plant is a host for the caterpillars of the Hadena ectypa moth.[6]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b ANPS, Webmaster (21 July 2014). "Know Your Natives – Starry Campion". Arkansas Native Plant Society.
  2. ^ a b c "Starry Campion (Silene stellata)". www.illinoiswildflowers.info.
  3. ^ "Digital Atlas of the Virginia Flora | Silene stellata (L.) Ait. F."
  4. ^ "USDA Plants Database".
  5. ^ "Silene stellata (Starry Campion, Whorled Catchfly, Widowsfrill, Widow's Frill) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". plants.ces.ncsu.edu.
  6. ^ "HOSTS - The Hostplants and Caterpillars Database at the Natural History Museum". www.nhm.ac.uk.