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fire pink
ExplorePlants
fire pink
Silene virginica
Fire pink is a beautiful flower that blooms in bright red. It loves to grow in sunny places and can often be found in meadows and along roadsides, bringing color to nature.
Habitat: Meadows
Appearance
The fire pink has incredibly vibrant, star-shaped flowers with five deeply notched, fiery red petals. Its sticky stems and calyx stand out against bright green leaves, making it visually distinct in woodland undergrowth.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyCaryophyllaceaeGenusSilene
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Fire pink belongs to the 'pink' family, named for the jagged edges of its petals, not its color!
Its bright red color is so intense, it can be spotted easily from far away in a forest.
Some Native American tribes traditionally used parts of this plant for medicinal purposes, like treating eye issues.
Unlike many plants, fire pink often uses sticky hairs on its stem to defend against tiny munching pests.
Special abilities
Ability
Sticky Defender
Fire pink has super sticky stems that can trap small crawling insects, stopping them from reaching and munching on its delicate flowers.
Ability
Beacon for Birds
Its brilliant red flowers are like a bright signal, attracting hummingbirds that visit and help it spread its pollen far and wide.
Ability
Root Anchor
The fire pink has deep roots that help it survive in dry, rocky soils where other plants might struggle to find enough water.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-80 cm
- Spread
- 15-30 cm
- Flower Size
- 2-3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late spring to early summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Bird
Ecological connections
pollinates
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
visits for nectar, carrying pollen between flowers
pollinates
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio glaucus
adult butterflies drink nectar from the bright blooms
eaten by
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
deer may browse on its leaves and stems in early spring
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch flowers in the wild, as some can be delicate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is fire pink?
30-80 cm
How wide does fire pink spread?
15-30 cm
How big are the flowers on fire pink?
2-3 cm
When does fire pink bloom?
Late spring to early summer
Is fire pink edible?
No
Is fire pink toxic?
Mild
What is fire pink's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is fire pink pollinated?
Bird
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