January 2021 Calendar Flower: Cardinal Catchfly

Cardinal Catchfly, Silene laciniata

George’s notes indicate he made this image in the early summer of 1983. I’m guessing it was shortly before he and Eleanor started a cross country road trip to visit me in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The range of Cardinal Catchfly (also referred to as Indian Pink), tends to be along the coast in California, from San Luis Obispo to San Diego. This vibrant red flowering plant blooms from April -June, so he probably made this flower ‘portrait’ in early June.

The Cardinal Catchfly plant has small, tubular blossoms on a slender stalk, often needing the support of a sturdier plant nearby. It has a deep tap root to be able to access water during the long, hot summer months

Not surprisingly, the Catchfly is related to the Carnation, as you can see from the fringed petals.

I chose this flower to kick-off George’s 2021 calendar, feeling we all wanted to burst into 2021, getting 2020 behind us. And ‘burst’ we have! In two short weeks we went from the horrific scenes in our nation’s Capital, to the healing, hopeful, inspirational inaugural ceremony. The work begins.