Spalding's catchfly: a regional endemic

Publication Type:

Magazine Article

Authors:

Lesica, Peter

Source:

Sage Notes, Idaho Native Plant Society, Volume 20, Issue 4, p.10-11 (1998)

Call Number:

U98LES02IDUS

Keywords:

Silene spaldingii

Abstract:

Spalding's catchfly (Silene spaldingii) is a distinctive member of the largest genus in the Pink Family (Caryophyllaceae). It is a non-rhizomatous perennial occurring in grasslands and steppe of southeast Washington, extreme northeast Oregon, and adjacent Idaho with disjunct populations in northwest Montana and adjacent British Columbia. Plants have one to several stems arising from a small rootcrown surmounting a long taproot that undoubtedly serves as a storage organ. Three to 20 flowers are borne in a branched, terminal inflorescence. Leaves, stems, and inflorescences have a distinct yellow-green color and are very sticky.