Night-flowering Catchfly
Silene noctiflora

Night-flowering Catchfly (Silene noctiflora) Other common names: Sticky Cockle

Other scientific names: Melandrium noctiflorum

French names: Silène noctiflore

Family: Pink Family (Caryophyllaceae)

Group: Campions

Distinctive features: White flowers with bladder behind them; three styles in flowers; plant is sticky all over.

Similar species:
  •   White Campion (Silene latifolia) - Very similar. Flowers have five styles; plant not sticky.

  •   Red Campion (Lychnis dioica) - Flowers red/pink; plant not sticky.

  •   Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris) - Flowers and petals smaller, stem smooth.


Flowers: Summer;  White;  5 parts (petals);  Flowers have three styles. Open in the evening, but stay open into the next day.

Leaves: Opposite/Whorled, Simple, Entire

Stem: Sticky.

Habitat: Fields and Open Areas

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 260   

Native/Non-native: Non-native

Notes: Night-flowering Catchfly can be difficult to tell apart from White Campion (Silene latifolia). The main differentiator is the number of styles in the flower.

For more information visit: Ontario Wildflowers

Photographs: 45 photographs available, of which 7 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Night-flowering Catchfly (Silene noctiflora)

A Night-flowering Catchfly flower.

Night-flowering Catchfly (Silene noctiflora)

Night-flowering Catchfly (Silene noctiflora)

Night-flowering Catchfly flowers have three stamens. They aren't usually very visible, unlike those of White Campion (Silene latifolia).

Night-flowering Catchfly (Silene noctiflora)

Night-flowering Catchfly (Silene noctiflora)

Flower just opening.

Night-flowering Catchfly (Silene noctiflora)

And a similar photo to show the flower size. Night-flowering Catchfly flowers are usually about 3/4" wide, vs. those of White Campion (Silene latifolia) which are usually about 1" wide.

Night-flowering Catchfly (Silene noctiflora)

Night-flowering Catchfly leaves.


Range map for Night-flowering Catchfly (Silene noctiflora)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)

 

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