Sargent's catchfly facts for kids
Silene sargentii, also known as Sargent's catchfly, is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family, which is often called the pink family. This plant is special because it grows in high, rocky mountain areas.
Quick facts for kids Sargent's catchfly |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Silene
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| Species: |
sargentii
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Where Sargent's Catchfly Lives
This interesting plant is native to the western United States. You can find it in the mountains of California and Nevada. It often grows near the famous Sierra Nevada mountains. There is also one small, separate area where it grows in central Washington.
Sargent's catchfly loves cold, rocky places. It grows in what are called subalpine and alpine climates. These are high-altitude areas. They are usually just below or above the tree line. The weather there is often chilly.
What Sargent's Catchfly Looks Like
Sargent's catchfly is a perennial herb. This means it is a plant that lives for many years. It grows from a strong, woody base. This base has a deep main root. Several stems grow up from this base.
The plant usually grows in a clumpy shape. It does not get very tall. It is usually only about 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) high. Its leaves are thick and shaped like a spear. Most of these leaves grow around the plant's base.
Each flower is protected by a cup-like structure called a calyx. This calyx is hairy and a bit sticky. It has clear purple lines on it. The petals of the flower can be white or a deep pink color. Each petal has two or more rounded or pointed tips.
