Photo: RV Taylor

Spalding's catchfly (Silene spaldingii) is a perennial wildflower endemic to the Pacific Northwest.  It blooms later than most wildflowers by utilizing its taproot, which can be up to 3 feet in length, to reach soil moisture that other species cannot.  Though Spalding's catchfly was probably once fairly common, its numbers have been severely reduced by habitat destruction and degradation. Recognizing this, the US Fish and Wildlife Service listed Spalding's catchfly as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act in 2001. The Zumwalt Prairie provides habitat to the largest known remaining population of this species.

While there are no immediate, major threats known to Spalding's catchfly on the Zumwalt Prairie, it is important to continue to monitor this species as climate change and other factors may threaten its survival in the long-term. Furthermore, the effects of factors such as introduction and spread of invasive species, livestock grazing and fire suppression are poorly known.  

More information is available

• Demography, Phenology, and Factors Influencing reproduction of the Rare Wildflower Spalding's Catchfly (Silene spaldingii) on the Zumwalt Prairie (2012)
• Insect Pollinators and Predators of Spalding's Catchfly(2012)
• Do Cattle Eat Spalding's Catchfly? An Examination of Browse Rates in Grazed and Un-grazed Areas of the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve (2011)
• Demography, Phenology and Predation of Spalding's Catchfly (Silene spaldingii) on the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve (2007-09)
• Mapping and monitoring Spalding's catchfly (Silene spaldingii) on the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve (2006-08),(2006-09), (2006-10)
• Mapping and monitoring Spalding's catchfly (Silene spaldingii) on the Clear Lake Ridge Preserve (2009),(2005), (2009-2010)
• Rates of browsing on Spalding's catchfly (Silene spaldingii) across a gradient of cattle stocking rates (2007)
• Spalding's (Silene spaldingii) catchfly monitoring report (2005)
• Spalding's catchfly (Silene spaldingii) populations on Zumwalt Prairie Preserve (2002)

• For a complete list of the Conservancy's reports concerning Spalding's catchfly on the Zumwalt Prairie click on the files & Pages link on the left margin and then browse by keyword.