SILE^NE MARIT'IMA. 
SEA CATCHFLY. 
Order. 
TRIG YNIA. 
Natural Order. 
OARYOPIIVILB*. 
Native of 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Inhabits 
Britain. 
8 inches. 
July, Sep. 
Perennial. 
jSea Shores. 
No. 324. 
The Greek sialon, signifying saliva, is the root 
whence the term Silene has sprung. It was applied 
to this genus in reference to the viscid fluid which 
exudes from most of the species. Flies being often 
entangled in this fluid, gave rise to the English name 
Catchfly. Maritima, from the Latin, denoting its 
belonging to the sea. 
This plant is common on many parts of the sea 
coast, particularly in North Wales. Here we gathered 
seeds of it, and have found it to be one of our most 
valuable rock plants. In joints, between sand- 
stones, with little or no soil, it luxuriates, and flowers 
abmidantly. It yields a sheet of delicate blossoms, 
on a dense mass of foliage, far superior to plants of 
it cultivated in the borders. 
It produces great plenty of seeds, and these may 
be sown in a dry situation, in the spring, or as soon 
as ripe. If it be desired that the plants should fix 
themselves amongst stones, the seeds should be sown 
in such situation, in preference to transplanting. In 
many situations no care will be required, for having 
once been planted, it will scatter its seeds, and be 
produced spontaneously. 
Hort. Kew. 2, v. 3, 88. 
Class. 
DECANDRIA. 
