Carried by 3 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Cardinal Catchfly (Silene laciniata ssp. laciniata) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California at elevations from 0-3900 feet. Silene laciniata ssp. californica is found primarily in the northern part of the state and the Sierra foothills. Ssp. laciniata is primarily found along the central to southern coast. It forms a thick taproot from which an upright or straggling, branching and slightly sticky stem emerges. Larger leaves are typically held on the lower portion of the stem and are triangular or lance shaped. The flowers, though small, are dramatic; though the common name suggests they are pink, in fact they are typically a deep crimson. Very common in its preferred habitat, often in the partial shade of boulders, taller grasses or larger shrubs. Sometimes only the flowers are visible through surrounding vegetation.
Annual herb, Perennial herb
2 - 3 ft Tall
2 ft Wide
Spreading
Fast
Summer Deciduous
None
Red, Pink
Spring, Summer
Full Sun
Low, Moderate
Max 1x / month once established
Moderate
Tolerates cold to 30° F
Fast, Medium
Likes sandy soil but is adaptable.
Soil PH: 6.0 - 7.0
For propagating by seed: No treatment.
7, 14, 15*, 16*, 17*, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Coastal bluffs, marine terraces, canyons, foothills and mesas of southern California in typical chaparral or sage scrub conditions
Chaparral
Chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum var. fasciculatum), Woolly Bluecurls (Trichostema lanatum), White Sage (Salvia apiana), California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum var. fasciculatum), California Coffeeberry (Frangula californica ssp. californica), Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), Lemonade Berry (Rhus integrifolia), Coastal Prickly Pear Cactus, Manzanita species, Yucca spp., various native grasses
Butterflies and moths supported
0 confirmed and 1 likely
Rufous Quaker Moth
Protorthodes rufula