Wildflowers of the Blue Ridge Parkway - Fire Pink

Fire Pink (Silene virginica) is a wildflower in the pink family, Caryophyllaceae. Its distinct brilliant red flowers give this flower its name and fame. Each flower, approximately 5 cm in diameter, is composed of 5 notched, brilliant red petals which extend into a long tube structure. This perennial is short-lived (2-3 years). It does not generally grow very tall (20-80 cm) and has lance-shaped leaves. Its stems and bases of the flowers are covered in short, sticky hairs. Blooming begins in late spring and continues throughout the summer. It is grown in wildflower, shade, and rock gardens.

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• Wikipedia - Fire Pink
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silene_virginica
• USDA PLANTS Database
  http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SIVI4
• Blue Ridge Parkway Wildflowers in Color

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