Balkan Catchfly

Plant Info

Also known as:
Scientific name:	Silene csereii
Family:	Pink (Caryophyllaceae)
Life cycle:	biennial, short-lived perennial
Origin:	Europe
Habitat:	sun to part shade; dry; fields, along roads, waste areas
Bloom season:	summer
Plant height:	to 40 inches tall
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Long Lake Regional Park

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Detailed Information

Flower:

Flowers are in long branching racemes at the top of the plant. Individual flowers have 5 white petals that are usually rolled up, each petal divided into 2 lobes. There are long purple tinged stamen that extend out, and a tubular base (calyx) cupping the flower. The calyx is light green, smooth with faint parallel veins and triangular lobes. Flowers are about ¾ inch long from the base of the calyx to the tip of the stamen.

Leaves and stem:

Leaves are up to 4 inches long, 1½ inches wide, toothless and hairless, with a pointed tip and no leaf stem. Leaf color is slightly blue-green. Attachment is opposite. The main stem is smooth, the color is light green.

Notes:

I've found very little information about this plant, so I think it is not very common, at least not yet. I have only seen a few plants growing in a few parks, but its numbers seem to be growing. The distinguishing feature of Balkan Catchfly is the calyx. Most campions, such as the prevalent White Campion, have a distinctly ridged calyx, where Balkan Catchfly's is smooth.

More photos

• mature Balkan Catchfly plants, about 40 inches tall
• a young plant, just starting to bloom
• more flowers

Photos taken at Wild River State Park, Center City, MN and Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN June-July 2008

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Ramsey County, or have any other comments about it?

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Please: Do not ask about where to buy seed or other gardening questions, are plants edible, etc. I am not a horticulturist or botanist, just an enthusiastic hobbyist so I probably don't know the answer. Please check the links page for additional resources. -thanks much

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