catchfly

[ kach-flahy ]

noun

, plural catch·flies.

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.

catchfly

/ ˈkætʃˌflaɪ /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of catchfly¹

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

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday by the Greater Hells Canyon Council in La Grande, looks to protect a rare species of plant known as Spalding’s catchfly, the Capital Press reported .

From Washington Times

Spalding’s catchfly, which is found only in eastern Washington, northeast Oregon, west-central Idaho, western Montana and British Columbia, Canada, is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

From Seattle Times

One of those is the royal catchfly, which produces red flowers that are only pollinated by ruby-throated hummingbirds.

From Washington Times

Wildflowers, especially arable flowers such as the small-flowered catchfly and corn buttercup, continue to decline and have a smaller range now than at any other time in recent decades.

From BBC