Western fringed catchfly facts for kids

Silene nuda, also known as the western fringed catchfly or sticky catchfly, is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family, which is also known as the carnation family.

What is Silene Nuda?

This plant is a perennial herb, meaning it lives for more than two years and grows back each year. It has a thick, woody base called a caudex and a strong main root called a taproot. From this base, it sends up one or more straight stems that can grow up to about 0.5 meters (1.6 feet) tall.

Where Does it Grow?

Silene nuda is found naturally in the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Modoc Plateau in California. You can also find it growing in Oregon and Nevada. It likes to grow in forests, woodlands, and areas with scrubby bushes. Sometimes, it can even grow in salty soils.

How Does it Look?

The plant has different types of leaves. The biggest leaves grow in bunches around the base of the plant, near the caudex. These leaves can be up to 15 centimeters (about 6 inches) long and 3 centimeters (about 1 inch) wide. Smaller leaves are found higher up on the stem.

Its Flowers

Each flower of Silene nuda is held inside a hairy, cup-like structure called a calyx. This calyx is made of five sepals that are joined together and have visible veins. The flower itself has five long, pink petals. Each petal has two small lobes, or rounded parts, at its tip.