Fire pink (Silene virginica): colours, meaning, where it grows and when it blooms

Fire pink is a perennial wildflower found in eastern and central North America, known for its striking, bright-red flowers that bloom from late spring into summer. It thrives in open woodlands and rocky slopes, attracts hummingbirds for pollination, and is sometimes grown in rock gardens.

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Its bright red flowers bloom from late spring to early summer.
Pollinated mainly by ruby-throated hummingbirds.
Sticky stems deter nectar thieves but are not carnivorous.
Used by Native Americans for traditional remedies.
Protected as endangered in some U.S. states.

What does Fire pink look like?

Fire pink is a small perennial plant, usually 20–80 cm tall, with lance-shaped leaves and stems that are reddish on sunlit sides and green in shade. The stems and flower bases are covered in sticky hairs. Each stem ends in a cluster of three to ten vivid red flowers, each about 3–5 cm across, with five notched petals forming a long tube. The flowers have pale-red stamens with yellow anthers and three pale-red styles in the center. The plant produces tan seed capsules in late summer.

Where does Fire pink come from?

Fire pink grows wild in eastern and central North America, from Texas north to southern Ontario and east to Florida. It is most common in the center of its range but rare and protected at the edges, such as in Wisconsin, Florida, and Michigan. The genus name Silene refers to the sticky substance on the stems, while 'virginica' points to Virginia, where the species was first identified. The 'pink' in its name describes the jagged petal edges, not the color.

When and how Fire pink blooms

Fire pink blooms from late spring to early summer, with flowering stems emerging from basal leaf rosettes in late winter or early spring. It prefers open woodlands, rocky slopes, and road banks with partial sun and well-drained, often acidic soils. The plant is drought- and heat-tolerant and can be grown in rock gardens or as a border plant. Its sticky hairs deter nectar thieves.

How Fire pink is used

Traditionally, Native Americans and settlers used fire pink roots for remedies, such as treating snakebite and intestinal worms, though some tribes considered it poisonous. Today, it is valued as a decorative wildflower in gardens, especially rock gardens. Its vivid red flowers attract hummingbirds, which are its main pollinators.

Kinds of Fire pink

There are two main varieties: Silene virginica var. virginica, the typical form, and Silene virginica var. robusta, found in parts of West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, which is larger and flowers later. A related species, Silene regia (royal catchfly), has similar red flowers but less notched petals.

What Fire pink means

Fire pink is protected as a state endangered species in some U.S. states and is considered imperiled in Louisiana. Its specialized relationship with the ruby-throated hummingbird is notable. The plant’s sticky stems inspired the genus name and the common name 'catchfly' for related species.

Where Fire pink is used and seen

Arctic–Alpine Botanic GardenA botanic garden in Tromsø for Arctic and mountain plants from around the world

Questions people ask about Fire pink

Where does fire pink come from?

Fire pink is native to eastern and central North America, ranging from Texas and Florida north to southern Ontario. It grows wild in open woodlands, rocky slopes, cliffs, and road banks.

What does fire pink look like?

Fire pink is a small perennial with lance-shaped leaves and clusters of vivid red, notched flowers about 3–5 cm wide. Its stems and flower bases are covered in sticky hairs.

How is fire pink pollinated?

Fire pink is mainly pollinated by ruby-throated hummingbirds, which are attracted to its bright red flowers and deep nectar tubes. The flower’s shape and lack of scent suit hummingbird pollination.

Is fire pink poisonous?

Some Native American tribes considered fire pink to be poisonous, though others used its roots in traditional remedies. The sources do not mention its use as food.

What does fire pink symbolize or mean?

The sources do not mention any specific symbolism for fire pink, but its name refers to the jagged edges of the petals rather than the color.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Silene virginica", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

Fire pink