Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Caryophyllaceae

Genus:

Silene

Species:

Silene catesbaei

USDA Symbol:

SIPO

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

30 cm

Light Requirements:

Part Shade

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Bloom Months:

apr,may,jun

Bloom Colors:

pink, white

Wildlife Benefits

Butterflies & Moths:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

butterflies, hummingbirds

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Associated with fire-maintained pine savannas and sandhills; resprouts from rootstock after fire.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

native to sandy habitats of southeastern U.S.

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Germination Time:

14–30 days

Notes:

Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI