silene virginica - fire pinks

This is a short-lived perennial that grows from 8 to 32 inches tall.  The stems are sticky and downy.  The leaves are a basal rosette that are stalked and are oblanceolate to spatulate.  The stem leaves are sessile, opposite, narrow, and up to 12 inches long.  The flowers are a deep crimson and are up to 1.5 inches wide.  They have notched petals and yellow stamens.

This plant flowers from April to June.  It is common, and is found in rich woods, open woodlands, and rocky slopes.