Silene nocturna (night-flowering catchfly)

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Silene, Genus, nocturna, Species,

Genus & species

night-flowering catchfly

Native to the Mediterranean basin, from the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa east through southern France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and into the Levant where the species occurs on sandy and rocky ground, in cultivated fields, on roadsides, and in coastal habitats at low elevations; in the native range the species is a winter annual, germinating in autumn, overwintering as a rosette, flowering in spring, and completing the life cycle by early summer; in cooler climates the species behaves as a spring annual; naturalized in parts of California and other Mediterranean-climate regions where the rainfall pattern matches the native habitat

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

Overview

Silene nocturna is an annual herb in the pink family (Caryophyllaceae) growing 8-20 inches (20-50 cm) tall with an erect to ascending branching habit. Stems are slender, sticky-hairy (viscid), with the stickiness trapping small insects on the stem surface — the basis for the common name 'catchfly', though the plant is not carnivorous. Basal leaves are spatulate, 1-2.5 inches (2.5-6 cm) long; stem leaves are narrower, lanceolate, opposite, sessile. Flowers are 0.4-0.6 inch (10-15 mm) across with five white to pale pink petals, each cleft into two lobes (bifid), borne in a one-sided (secund) raceme of 3-10 flowers. Flowers open at dusk and remain open through the night, closing by mid-morning — a strategy for nocturnal moth pollination. The calyx is tubular, 0.4-0.5 inch (10-12 mm) long, 10-veined, sticky-hairy, becoming inflated around the developing capsule. The species is native to the Mediterranean basin, where it occurs as a winter annual: germinating in autumn, overwintering as a rosette, flowering in spring, and completing the life cycle by early summer. In cooler climates, the species behaves as a spring annual. Naturalized in parts of California and other Mediterranean-climate regions. Self-seeds readily in open disturbed ground.

Native Range

Silene nocturna is native to the Mediterranean basin, from the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa east through southern France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and into the Levant. The species occurs on sandy and rocky ground, cultivated fields, roadsides, and coastal habitats at low elevations.

Suggested Uses

Sown in wildflower meadow mixes, annual borders, and dry sandy garden areas. The nocturnal flowering habit makes the species a curiosity plant for evening gardens — sited near outdoor seating areas where the flowers can be observed at dusk. Interplanted with day-blooming annuals for round-the-clock flower interest. Self-sows in open disturbed ground.

How to Identify

Identified by the sticky-hairy stems, the one-sided (secund) raceme of white to pale pink bifid-petalled flowers that open at dusk and close by morning, and the 10-veined sticky tubular calyx that becomes inflated around the capsule. Separated from S. gallica (small-flowered catchfly) by the larger flowers and the secund (one-sided) raceme. Separated from S. vulgaris (bladder campion) by the annual habit, smaller flowers, and the non-inflated calyx at flowering (calyx inflates only around the developing capsule).

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 1'8"

Width/Spread4" - 8"

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Flowers: May–June

Spring Summer

Flowers open from May through June (spring-sown) or March through May (autumn-sown in mild climates). Each flower opens at dusk and closes by mid-morning, lasting 1-2 nights. The secund raceme of 3-10 flowers opens sequentially over 2-3 weeks. Pollinated by nocturnal moths, particularly small geometrid and noctuid moths attracted to the pale flowers and the slight night-fragrance.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to pale pink five-petaled flowers 0.4-0.6 inch (10-15 mm) across with each petal cleft into two lobes (bifid); flowers open at dusk and remain open through the night, closing by mid-morning — a strategy for nocturnal moth pollination

Foliage Description

Medium green spatulate basal leaves 1-2.5 inches (2.5-6 cm) long; stem leaves are narrower, lanceolate, opposite, and sessile

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5 (Neutral to alkaline)

3579

Soil Types

sand loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Direct sow seed on the soil surface in early spring (March-April) or in autumn in mild climates (zones 8-10). Seeds are tiny — mix with silica sand or vermiculite for even distribution. Press into the soil surface; do not cover, since light aids germination. Germination takes 10-14 days at 55-65°F (13-18°C). Thin to 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) apart. Plant in full sun in lean well-drained sandy to loamy soil at pH 6.0-7.5. No fertilization is needed since the species thrives in poor dry soil. Water sparingly; drought-tolerant once established. The sticky stems may trap small insects, which is a natural characteristic of the species rather than a cause for concern.

Pruning

No pruning is required. The species completes the life cycle in one season. Remove spent plants after seed has dispersed, or leave to self-sow in informal settings. Pull plants before seed set if self-seeding into adjacent garden areas is not desired.