Fire Pink Silene virginica var. virginica

Fire Pink is a variety of native perennial wildflower that is found in the Smoky Mountains of the United States. It is a member of the Caryophyllaceae family that includes carnations and pinks. This particular plant has bright red flowers but is reportedly smaller than other varieties.

Fire Pink has been found growing wild in the States of Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. A distribution map shows that this wildflower is found typically in the western parts of North Carolina and appears rarely in the Coastal Plains. It is typically found in woodlands, rocky areas, crevices of cliffs, and along roadsides. 

The genus name, Silene, is derived from "catchfly" or "campion." The plants in this genus have tiny sticky hairs that discourage ants and other insects from eating the plant. The species name, virginica, means "of Virginia."

The plant thrives in partial sun with dry to medium moist well-drained soils of sand or gravel. The plant will tolerate full sun but prefers some afternoon shade.  Although it is considered to be a short-lived perennial, it will self-seed.  Its deep taproot makes it difficult to transplant. Hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to their flowers.

The stems of the Fire Pink are mostly erect, sticky, and densely hairy. There are medium to dark green basal and stem leaves that also have sticky hairs. The basal leaves are slightly spatula-shaped while the stem leaves are narrower and occur opposite in pairs of 2 to 4 per stem. The bloom has five-lobed calyx and five bright red spreading petals with deeply notched tips. Each flower is followed by a seed capsule during the spring and summer. 

Fire Pink is best grown in naturalized areas and woodlands so that it may freely reseed itself. 

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom:  Spring and Summer     Foliage:  Spring, Summer, and Fall       Fruit:  Spring and Summer

Quick ID Hints:

• green, mostly erect, hairy, sticky stems
• basal leaves of medium to dark green that appear oblanceolate to spatulate with sticky hairs
• opposite stem leaves with sticky hairs, occur in 2 to 4 pairs, and do not have a petiole
• flowers are 2 inches in diameter with fire brilliant red spreading petals with deeply notched tips
• flowers are replaced by a seed capsule

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Fire Pink is generally pest and disease-free.

More information on Silene virginica.