Royal Catchfly
Silene regia
- Native to:
- United States
Barnes, Dr. Thomas G. USFWS
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Caryophyllaceae
- Genus:
- Silene
- Species:
- Silene regia
- USDA Symbol:
- SIRE2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- red
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Hummingbirds:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented hummingbird visits (GBIF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Hummingbirds: Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) Butterflies:Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- hummingbirds, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Native to tallgrass prairies and open woodlands; resprouts from rootstock after fire and benefits from periodic burning that reduces competition.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to prairies and open woodlands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover. Cold stratification improves germination rates significantly.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Notes: Light required for germination; do not cover seed.
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.