Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Caryophyllales
Genus:
Species:
italica
ID:
441061

Status:
valid

Authors:
(L.) Pers.

Source:
cmp

Year:
1805

Citation Micro:
Syn. Pl. 1: 498 (1805)

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000440393

Common Names

  • Italica Catchfly
  • Italica Silene
  • Italica Pink

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Synonyms

  • Silene viscosa Schleich. [unknown]
  • Cucubalus catholicus Ficin. [unknown]
  • Cucubalus clavicarpus Schult. [unknown]
  • Cucubalus floccosus Ficin. [unknown]
  • Cucubalus italicus L. [unknown]
  • Cucubalus mollissimus Waldst. & Kit. [unknown]
  • Cucubalus pilosus Willd. ex Spreng. [unknown]
  • Cucubalus silenoides Vill. [unknown]
  • Silene multifida Edgew. [unknown]

Description

Silene italica (also called Italian catchfly, among many other common names) is an annual herb with white flowers and a basal rosette of leaves. It is native to Europe and is found in dry grasslands, scrub and rocky outcrops.

Uses & Benefits

Silene italica is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks, and as a food source for humans and animals.

Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species

Silene italica sub. sicula (Ucria) Jeanm.
Silene italica sub. coutinhoi (Rothm. & P.Silva) Franco
Silene italica sub. nemoralis (Waldst. & Kit.) Nyman

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

Silene italica has white or pink flowers with five petals. The seeds are small and black and the seedlings have a single pair of cotyledons.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Silene italica is a perennial plant that can be propagated by seed or division. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 5-9.

Where to Find Silene italica

Silene italica can be found in the Mediterranean region, including Spain, Italy, and Greece.

Silene italica FAQ

What type of plant is Silene italica?

Silene italica is a flowering plant.

Where does Silene italica grow?

Silene italica grows in the Mediterranean region.

What is the lifespan of Silene italica?

The lifespan of Silene italica is unknown.

Species in the Silene genus

Silene abietum, Silene acaulis, Silene catholica, Silene chalcedonica, Silene chamarensis, Silene chersonensis, Silene cephallenia, Silene bupleuroides, Silene cambessedesii, Silene campanula, Silene burchellii, Silene coeli-rosa, Silene ciliata, Silene conica, Silene conglomeratica, Silene colorata, Silene coniflora, Silene conoidea, Silene colpophylla, Silene congesta, Silene compacta, Silene chromodonta, Silene flos-cuculi, Silene flavescens, Silene fissipetala, Silene flos-jovis, Silene foetida, Silene fuscata, Silene gaditana, Silene chlorifolia, Silene chlorantha, Silene chilensis, Silene fruticosa, Silene frivaldskyana, Silene andicola, Silene amoena, Silene andryalifolia, Silene apetala, Silene arabica, Silene adelphiae, Silene aegyptiaca, Silene aellenii, Silene ammophila, Silene altaica, Silene alexandrina, Silene almolae, Silene alpestris, Silene biappendiculata, Silene bergiana, Silene barbeyana,

Species in the Caryophyllaceae family

Acanthophyllum acerosum, Acanthophyllum aculeatum, Acanthophyllum adenophorum, Acanthophyllum albidum, Acanthophyllum andarabicum, Acanthophyllum andersenii, Acanthophyllum anisocladum, Acanthophyllum bilobum, Acanthophyllum bracteatum, Acanthophyllum brevibracteatum, Acanthophyllum caespitosum, Acanthophyllum coloratum, Acanthophyllum crassifolium, Acanthophyllum cyrtostegium, Acanthophyllum diezianum, Acanthophyllum elatius, Acanthophyllum fissicalyx, Acanthophyllum glandulosum, Acanthophyllum gracile, Acanthophyllum grandiflorum, Acanthophyllum kabulicum, Acanthophyllum kandaharicum, Acanthophyllum knorringianum, Acanthophyllum korolkowii, Acanthophyllum korshinskyi, Acanthophyllum krascheninnikovii, Acanthophyllum lamondiae, Acanthophyllum laxiflorum, Acanthophyllum laxiusculum, Acanthophyllum lilacinum, Acanthophyllum longicalyx, Acanthophyllum macrodon, Acanthophyllum maimanense, Acanthophyllum mikeschinianum, Acanthophyllum mucronatum, Acanthophyllum oppositiflorum, Acanthophyllum pachycephalum, Acanthophyllum pachystegium, Acanthophyllum pleiostegium, Acanthophyllum popovii, Acanthophyllum pulcherrimum, Acanthophyllum pulchrum, Acanthophyllum pungens, Acanthophyllum raphiophyllum, Acanthophyllum recurvum, Acanthophyllum sarawschanicum, Acanthophyllum scapiflorum, Acanthophyllum schugnanicum, Acanthophyllum sordidum, Acanthophyllum speciosum,

References

The Plant List v1.1 record kew-2488103: Based on the initial data import
Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'L.' in the authors string.
Christiaan Hendrik Persoon (1761-1836): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Pers.' in the authors string.