catchfly

American  

[kach-flahy] / ˈkætʃˌflaɪ /

noun

plural

catchflies

1. any of various plants, especially of the genera Silene and Lychnis, having a viscid secretion on the stem and calyx in which small insects are sometimes caught.

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catchfly British  

/ ˈkætʃˌflaɪ /

noun

1. any of several caryophyllaceous plants of the genus Silene that have sticky calyxes and stems on which insects are sometimes trapped

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Etymology

Origin of catchfly

1590–1600; from phrase catch ( the ) fly

Example Sentences

And it threatens rare endemic plants found in rocky scablands, such as Spalding’s catchfly, a federally protected perennial with pale pink, trumpet-shaped flowers.

From Science Magazine • Aug. 3, 2022

Pilfering ants find death as speedy on the sticky surfaces here as on any catchfly.

From Wild Flowers An Aid to Knowledge of Our Wild Flowers and Their Insect Visitors by Blanchan, Neltje

Miss Sherbourne, you sent me that catchfly from Hurford.

From A Pair of Schoolgirls A Story of School Days by Brazil, Angela

Like the night-flowering catchfly this blossom has adapted itself to the night-flying moths; but when either remains open in the morning, bumblebees gladly take the leavings in the deep cup.

From Wild Flowers An Aid to Knowledge of Our Wild Flowers and Their Insect Visitors by Blanchan, Neltje

Then had come brilliant spots and splashes of color on the summer slopes—purple butterwort, golden ragweed, aconite, buttercup, deep crimson mossy patches of saxifrage, rosy heather, catchfly, wild geranium, cinnamon rose.

From Days of the Discoverers by Choate, Florence