Silene laciniata subsp. laciniata
Mexican pink, Mexican Pink
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Silene laciniata subsp. laciniata (Mexican pink) is a native California herb in the Caryophyllaceae family, recognized by . Key features: bright red petals, narrow linear leaves, smaller seeds, southern CA range.
Mexican pink is a California native perennial found in southern Santa Lucia Mountains and southwestern California in chaparral and oak woodland habitats at elevations below 1,200 meters. Flowering from spring to summer, this plant produces distinctively fringed pink flowers with delicate, intricate petals. Growing with slender stems up to 60 centimeters tall, it forms an elegant, somewhat sprawling habit. Its leaves are narrow and linear to lance-shaped, creating a fine, elongated texture throughout the plant. The seeds are small, approximately 1 to 1.5 millimeters long with a rich red-brown coloration.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species. Key features: bright red petals, narrow linear leaves, smaller seeds, southern CA range.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, oak woodland
Elevation: < 1200 m
California counties: San Diego, Orange, Santa Barbara, Riverside, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Silene laciniata subsp. laciniata blooms Spring-summer.
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 subsp. laciniata native to California?
Yes. Silene laciniata subsp. laciniata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Silene laciniata subsp. laciniata bloom?
Silene laciniata subsp. laciniata blooms Spring-summer.
Where in California does Silene laciniata subsp. laciniata grow?
Silene laciniata subsp. laciniata occurs in San Diego, Orange, Santa Barbara, Riverside, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, at elevations of < 1200 m.
What plant family does Silene laciniata subsp. laciniata belong to?
Silene laciniata subsp. laciniata is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Silene.
What habitat does Silene laciniata subsp. laciniata grow in?
Silene laciniata subsp. laciniata grows in Chaparral, oak woodland.
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.