Silene laciniata
Cardinal catchfly
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Silene laciniata (Cardinal catchfly) is a native California herb in the Caryophyllaceae family, recognized by Scarlet, deeply cut (laciniate) petals; long calyx 12-26 mm.
Cardinal catchfly is a California native perennial found in southwestern and central coastal mountain ranges in rocky chaparral and woodland habitats, typically growing at moderate elevations. Flowering from March to July, this plant produces bright red flowers in delicate, ascending clusters with distinctive four-part petal lobes that are 6 to 15 millimeters wide. Growing with partially prostrate or reclining stems 20 to 70 centimeters tall, the plant has a sparse caudex with glandular-puberulent stems that are slightly hairy. Its leaves vary dramatically along the stem, with lower leaves being oblanceolate to ovate and measuring 1 to 10 centimeters long, while upper leaves become progressively more linear or widely lanceolate. The fruit develops as an oblong to ovoid capsule containing reddish-brown seeds 1 to 2.5 millimeters in size.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Scarlet, deeply cut (laciniate) petals; long calyx 12-26 mm
Habitat and range
California counties: Riverside, Ventura, Orange, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Kern, Nevada, Monterey, Del Norte, San Francisco, Tuolumne, Mendocino, Lake, Sierra, Siskiyou
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 laciniata native to California?
Yes. Silene laciniata is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Silene laciniata grow?
Silene laciniata occurs in Riverside, Ventura, Orange, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara and other counties.
What plant family does Silene laciniata belong to?
Silene laciniata is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Silene.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.