Botanico

Plant profile

Silene dichotoma

Silene dichotoma Ehrh.

Photo of Silene dichotoma
Image: Stefan.lefnaer. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons. · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Silene dichotoma is a plant suitable for both indoor and outdoor cultivation, characterized by its attractive flowers and branching growth habit.

From Wikipedia

Silene dichotoma is a species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae known by the common name forked catchfly. It is native to Eurasia and it is known in other parts of the temperate world, such as sections of North America, where it is a weed that grows in disturbed habitat. It is an annual herb growing up to 80 centimeters tall. The lance-shaped leaves are up to 8 centimeters long on the lower stem and are smaller higher up. Each flower is encapsulated in an inflated calyx of sepals lined with ten veins. It is open at the tip, revealing five white to red petals, each with two lobes and sometimes taking a curled form.

Silene dichotoma — Text CC BY-SA. See the original article.

Open-data facts

Life form
annual or biennial
Climate
Its natural climate is temperate: distinct summers and winters.
Origin / area
Documented area of origin: Italy to W. Siberia and Iran.
Documented uses
Weed

Traits (USDA)

Botanical group
Botanically, it's a dicot, in contrast to monocots like lilies or palms.
Duration
This is an annual plant: it completes its cycle in a single season and then expires.
Growth habit
As a forb, its structure is more herbaceous than woody.

Recommended products for Silene dichotoma

    Ecological interactions

    • Acts as a host plant for:

      Septoria melandrii, Phyllosticta, Phyllosticta nebulosa, Uromyces behenis, Microbotryum violaceum, Septoria dimera, Hadena bicruris, Sideridis rivularis…

    • Insects and animals that pollinate it:

      Lasioglossum sabulosum, Lasioglossum semilucens, Bombylius medius, Osmia bicornis, Bombylius cinerascens, Gonepteryx rhamni, Bombus terrestris, Harmonia axyridis…

    • Eaten by:

      Hadena luteago, Rhopalus conspersus, Plusia festucae, Polymixis rufocincta, Cucullia absinthii, Caryocolum delphinatella, Brachycolus cucubali, Hadena laudeti…

    Basic care

    Watering
    In heatwaves, water a bit more—without overdoing it.
    Light
    An east or west window with some filter often works well.
    Temperature
    Keep off blasting radiators and open cold doors.
    Humidity
    Air the room a little if the air feels heavy.

    Pet toxicity

    In a pet household, prioritise an inaccessible spot.

    Cats: yes (toxic). Dogs: yes (toxic).

    Sources