Silene douglasii

• Scientific Name: Silene douglasii var. douglassii
• Family: Caryophyllaceae
• Common Names: Douglas's silene
• Codon: SILDOU

Photo Ben Legler 2004

Taxonomy

Silene douglasii
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Subkingdom:	Tracheobionta
Phylum:	Spermatophyta
Subphylum:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Subclass:	Caryophyllidae
Order:	Caryophyllaceae
Family:	Caryophyllaceae
Genus:	Silene L.
Species:	Silene douglasii Hook
Variety:	Silene douglasii var.douglasii

Description

General: Tufted perennial from a stout taproot and branched crown, the numerous, decumbent, simple stems 1-4 dm. tall, densely pubescent throughout. Leaves: Basal leaves matted, long-petiolate, oblanceolate to linear-lanceolate, 2-5 cm. long and 2-7 mm. wide; cauline leaves 1-8 pairs, becoming smaller and sessile above.

Flowers: Flowers few, with linear bracts, often remote; calyx tubular, 5-lobed, 12-15 mm. long, becoming papery and enlarged in fruit; petals 5, creamy-white, greenish, pink or purplish; claw 8-12 mm long, the blade oblong, 4-6 mm. long, bi-lobed about ¼ the length; blade appendages 2, oblong, 1 mm. long; ovary stalk 3-4 mm. long; stamens 10; styles 3.

Fruits: Capsule 1-celled.

Bloom Period

Late May - July

Distribution

British Columbia to California, east to Montana and Utah; in both the Olympic and Cascades Mountains

Habitat

Sagebrush plains to mountain slopes

Uses

Nɨwɨ medicine, warm infusion of pounded plant used as an emetic for stomach pain.

Diné medicine, cold infusion used as lotion for coyote bite on man, sheep or horse.

Propagation

Easily propagated by cutting or seed

Photo Gallery

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  Photo Ben Legler

• 

  Photo Ben Legler

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  Photo Ben Legler