Silene multinervia
Multinerved catchfly, Multinerved Catchfly
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Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Silene multinervia (Multinerved catchfly) is a native California herb in the Caryophyllaceae family, recognized by . Key features: unique 20-25-veined calyx, annual habit, coastal/southwestern range.
Multinerved catchfly is a California native annual found in southern North Coast Ranges, central western California, and southwestern California in open areas and burned landscapes at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering from spring to early summer, this plant produces white to pink flowers with delicate petals and distinctive glandular-hairy calyxes. Growing 20 to 65 centimeters tall with erect stems covered in short glandular hairs, it has a distinctive vertical structure. Its leaves gradually reduce in size from lower stems (5 to 13 millimeters wide and up to 8 centimeters long) to upper stems (2 to 8 millimeters wide and 0.8 to 3 centimeters long), with a lanceolate shape. The small ovoid fruits develop on short stalks, bearing black seeds approximately 0.5 to 1 millimeter in size.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 24 sympatric species. Key features: unique 20-25-veined calyx, annual habit, coastal/southwestern range.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open areas, burns
Elevation: < 2000 m
California counties: Orange, Sonoma, Los Angeles, Marin, Monterey, Riverside, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Napa
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Silene multinervia blooms Spring-early 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 multinervia native to California?
Yes. Silene multinervia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Silene multinervia bloom?
Silene multinervia blooms Spring-early summer.
Where in California does Silene multinervia grow?
Silene multinervia occurs in Orange, Sonoma, Los Angeles, Marin, Monterey, Riverside, Ventura, San Luis Obispo and other counties, at elevations of < 2000 m.
What plant family does Silene multinervia belong to?
Silene multinervia is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Silene.
What habitat does Silene multinervia grow in?
Silene multinervia grows in Open areas, burns.
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.