Silene greenei subsp. angustifolia
Red mountain catchfly, Red Mountain Catchfly
Photo: parent species Silene greenei · (c) Mark Pollock, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Silene greenei subsp. angustifolia (Red mountain catchfly) is a native California herb in the Caryophyllaceae family, recognized by . Key features: very limited range, serpentine soils, pink petals, narrow leaves.
Red mountain catchfly is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in southern Klamath Ranges and central North Coast Ranges in serpentine chaparral and conifer forest at elevations of 500 to 1,000 meters. Flowering during summer, this plant produces delicate pink flowers on small compact stems. Growing 5 to 20 centimeters tall with puberulent stems, it forms a compact and subtle presence in its rocky serpentine habitat. Its narrow leaves are linear to lanceolate, measuring 1.5 to 4 centimeters long and 2 to 10 millimeters wide. The plant's diminutive size and pale pink blossoms make it a charming yet uncommon sight in its specialized mountain environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 20 sympatric species. Key features: very limited range, serpentine soils, pink petals, narrow leaves.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Serpentine, chaparral, conifer forest
Elevation: 500-1000 m
California counties: Del Norte, Mendocino, Siskiyou, Trinity, Humboldt, Tehama, Colusa
Bloom period
Silene greenei subsp. angustifolia blooms Summer.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Spigelia: Silene has 5 separate petals in pink family arrangement; Spigelia has tubular red flowers with 5-lobed tips.; vs Pelargonium: Silene has radially symmetric flowers with 5 equal petals; Pelargonium has bilateral flowers with unequal petals.; vs Cistanthe: Silene has a tubular calyx fused around the flower; Cistanthe has 2 separate, rounded sepals that fall off.; vs Castilleja: Silene has showy petals; Castilleja's color comes from bracts hiding tiny tubular flowers.; vs Petrorhagia: Silene has an inflated, rounded calyx tube; Petrorhagia has a narrow, cylindrical calyx with papery bracts below.
Frequently asked questions
Is Silene greenei subsp. angustifolia native to California?
Yes. Silene greenei subsp. angustifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Silene greenei subsp. angustifolia bloom?
Silene greenei subsp. angustifolia blooms Summer.
Where in California does Silene greenei subsp. angustifolia grow?
Silene greenei subsp. angustifolia occurs in Del Norte, Mendocino, Siskiyou, Trinity, Humboldt, Tehama, Colusa, at elevations of 500-1000 m.
What plant family does Silene greenei subsp. angustifolia belong to?
Silene greenei subsp. angustifolia is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Silene.
Is Silene greenei subsp. angustifolia rare or endangered?
Silene greenei subsp. angustifolia carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.