Sticky Catchfy, Viscaria vulgaris, one plant in 9 cm square pot
The Sticky Catchfly, Viscaria vulgaris, is a member of the Caryophyllaceae, the family to which pinks and campions belong. It is a perennial that produces upright stems to about 60 cm. The bright rosy pink flowers are 20 mm across and appear in long, whirled spikes from May, like the ones in the pictures, through to August. They are mainly pollinated by bumble bees.
The leaves are lanceolate forming a cluster at the bottom then rising in pairs up the flower stem.
The Latin name Viscaria means "sticky", and refers to the stickiness of the stem just below the leaf joints. The extent of the stickiness can be judged by the pieces of card that remained in position horizontally on the stem while I took the photographs. The English common names refers to the same feature. The stickiness presumably protects the flowers from insects climbing up the stem. Although small insects are sometimes caught in the glue, there is no evidence that the plant is carnivorous.
It is very subject to competition from other plants and in Britain usually grows on inaccessible south facing rocks and cliffs, preferring basic and igneous rocks. It is very rare in the wild, being found in a very small number of locations, but is also grown as an ornamental garden plant for the attractiveness of its flowers and novelty of its stickiness.
It is best grown in well drained sunny spots of the garden.
An alternative scientific name sometimes used is Lychnis viscaria..