About Silene menziesii Hook.
Silene menziesii Hook. is a species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae, commonly known as Menzies' campion and Menzies' catchfly. It is native to western North America, ranging from Alaska through the western half of Canada to the southwestern United States. This species grows in many types of habitat and is quite common across most of its native range. It has variable morphology, and a number of distinct subtaxa have been recognized. In general, it is a perennial herb that grows from a caudex, and can form mats, grow decumbent, or grow erect. Its stems range from a few centimeters to over half a meter long. The plant is usually hairy in texture, and its upper parts bear sticky glandular hairs. Its leaves are lance-shaped, arranged in opposite pairs, and measure a few centimeters long, with upper leaves typically smaller than lower leaves. Flowers may grow in a cyme at the top of the stem, in leaf axils, or in both locations. Each flower is enclosed in a hairy, veined calyx made of fused sepals. The petals are white, with two lobes at the tip. This plant is dioecious, meaning male and female plants produce different flowers. Male and female flowers have the same external appearance; female plants have reduced stamens, and male plants have reduced stigmas.
