Silene laciniata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Silene laciniata |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Silene
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| Species: |
laciniata
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Silene laciniata, also known as fringed Indian pink or cardinal catchfly, is a beautiful plant with bright red flowers. It's a type of herb that lives for many years, belonging to the plant family called Caryophyllaceae. People also call it Mexican campion or Mexican-pink.
This plant naturally grows in the southwestern parts of the United States, from California to Texas. You can also find it in northern Mexico.
Contents
About the Cardinal Catchfly
How it Grows
The cardinal catchfly grows from a deep main root called a taproot. It can have one or many stems that grow either close to the ground or stand straight up. These stems can reach over a meter (about 3 feet) tall! The stems are thin, branch out, and can feel a bit sticky.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the cardinal catchfly are shaped like a spear, long and narrow. They can be up to about 10 centimeters (4 inches) long and 2 centimeters (0.8 inches) wide. The leaves higher up on the plant are usually smaller.
The plant's flowers can grow alone or in groups. Each flower sits on a long stalk called a pedicel. The flower has a green or reddish tube-shaped part at its base, called a calyx. This calyx is made of five sepals that are joined together and have ten clear lines on them.
The most striking part of the flower is its five bright red petals. Each petal is deeply split into 4 to 6 long, pointed sections, which makes them look like they have a fringe! Inside the flower, there are ten stamens (the parts that make pollen) and a pistil (the part that develops into fruit).
Different Types of Cardinal Catchfly
Just like there can be different types of apples, there are also different types, or subspecies, of the cardinal catchfly. These are slightly different versions of the same plant that have adapted to their local environments. Some of these include:
- Silene laciniata subsp. brandegeei
- Silene laciniata subsp. californica
- Silene laciniata subsp. greggii
- Silene laciniata subsp. laciniata
- Silene laciniata subsp. major
See also
In Spanish: Silene laciniata para niños
