Silene nelsonii
Nelson's stringflower
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Silene nelsonii (Nelson's stringflower) is a native California perennial in the Caryophyllaceae family, recognized by unknown range, limited data.
Nelson's stringflower is a California native perennial ranked 4.3 by CNPS, found in well-drained serpentine or metasedimentary soils in woodland and conifer forest habitats of California at elevations of 85 to 1,400 meters. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces white flowers with delicate translucent gray petal claws and linear inner petals that are more than 10 times longer than wide. Growing 2.5 to 25 centimeters tall with decumbent to erect stems covered in soft, straight or wavy hairs, the plant develops multiple caudex branches. Its elliptic to obovate leaves are 2 to 8.2 centimeters long and 6 to 19 millimeters wide, distributed along the stem without reduction toward the top. The fruit is an ovoid to spheric capsule containing dark reddish-brown seeds approximately 2 to 2.25 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; unknown range, limited data
Habitat and range
Habitat: Well-drained serpentine or metasedimentary soil, grassy openings near ephemeral drainages in woodland or conifer forest
Elevation: 85-1400 m
Bloom period
Silene nelsonii blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 nelsonii native to California?
Yes. Silene nelsonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Silene nelsonii bloom?
Silene nelsonii blooms Apr-Jun.
What plant family does Silene nelsonii belong to?
Silene nelsonii is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Silene.
Is Silene nelsonii rare or endangered?
Silene nelsonii carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Silene nelsonii grow in?
Silene nelsonii grows in Well-drained serpentine or metasedimentary soil, grassy openings near ephemeral drainages in woodland or conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.