Catchfly
Silene firma

Family: Caryophyllaceae

What it is like

Silene firma is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft). It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.9

Where it is found

Pebbly river banks, sandy and pebbly shores and shrub thickets. Mountain grassland and scrub throughout China.

E. Asia - China and Japan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Young plant - cooked.

Medicine

Rating: 2

The leaves and stems contain several medically active constituents including saponins and flavonoids. They have been shown to promote the production of drug-metabolizing enzymes in the liver. The plant is said to be contraceptive, emmenagogue and galactogogue. It is used in Korea in the treatment of gonorrhoea, to stimulate the milk and the menstrual flow, and also as a contraceptive.

Contraceptive: Prevents fertilization occurring in females.

Emmenagogue: Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.

Galactogogue: Promotes the flow of milk in a nursing mother.

Hepatic: Acts on the liver (for better or worse!).

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

W have very little information on this species, though judging by its wide range it should be hardy in most of Britain. It is likely to prefer a well-drained moisture retentive light loamy soil in a sunny position.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in situ. It is quite likely that an early autumn sowing will overwinter successfully to produce a larger plant in the spring and summer.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual/Biennial

Hardiness:

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

basionym of: Ussuria firma. Neoussuria firma. Elisanthe firma