Silene wherryi Small

Wherry's Catchfly; Pink Catchfly; Wild Pink

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Wherry's Catchfly is a native herbaceous perennial in the Pink family (Caryophyllaceae). It can be found in central and northeastern Alabama. Wherry's Catchfly grows in open, rocky woods, in xeric, sandy pine woods, and on roadside banks. It is a perennial with a stout woody taproot. Basal leaves are winged petiolate, oblanceolate in outline, with ciliate margins. The cauline leaves are sessile, oblanceolate in outline, and slightly pubescent. Stems are green in color, ascending, and glandular pubescent. Flowers are produced in terminal 3-15 flowered inflorescences. The inflorescences are subtended by leaf-like bracts. The calyx is pubescent with spreading white hairs and is usually purple towards the apex. The flowers have 5 pink or white petals. The fruit is a capsule. Wherry's Catchfly is listed as a S1S2 species in Alabama (S1 - typically 5 or fewer occurrences, very few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or some factor of its biology making it especially vulnerable in the state. S2 - typically 6 to 20 occurrences, few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable in the state). Wherry's Catchfly is available from some nurseries. It prefers a well-draining soil in full to partial sun. Plants are short lived but it readily reseeds in the garden. Sometimes hybridizes with Silene virginica.--A. Diamond

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Native S1S2 (State Rank) G5T3 (Global Rank)

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