

How to identify Maltese cross (Silene chalcedonica)
Maltese cross, also known as Scarlet lightning, Dusky salmon
Maltese cross stands out vividly with stout, erect green stems reaching heights of 20 to 40 inches (50 to 100 cm). This deciduous perennial flaunts eye-catching, bright scarlet red flowers, each petal distinctly arranged in a Maltese Cross shape. Basal leaves present as broad with rounded ends, while the higher foliage transitions into medium green, ovate to lanceolate forms. After summer blooms, maltese cross bears dry fruit capsules encapsulating numerous seeds.
Erect stems reach 20 to 40 inches (50 to 100 cm) with scarlet red Maltese Cross flowers.
Distinctive ovoid fruit capsule splits into five lobes with numerous small reddish-brown seeds.
Leaves vary in shape from lanceolate to ovate, 2 to 5 inches long (5 to 13 cm).
Light green, stout stem up to 3 feet (90 cm) with minimal branching supports flower clusters.
Flowers form corymb clusters with scarlet red petals in a Maltese Cross shape.
The leaves of maltese cross are opposite, ranging from lanceolate to ovate in shape, and measure 2 to 5 inches (5 to 13 cm) long and 0.75 to 3.5 inches (2 to 9 cm) wide. The upper surface is medium green with sparse hairs, while the lower surface is a lighter green with similar sparse hairs. The base of the leaf is rounded. The basal leaves are broader with rounded ends.
The flowers of maltese cross are corymb-like clusters, with each cluster measuring 1.5 to 3.5 inches (4 to 9 cm) in diameter. Each flower is less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide and features five scarlet red petals forming a Maltese Cross shape. The petals are deeply cleft into two lobes with somewhat ragged tips, complemented by a light green calyx. Red filaments with yellow anthers highlight the stamens. Blooming occurs from early to mid-summer, lasting around 2 to 3 weeks.
The stem of maltese cross is light green and notably stout, with a sturdy, erect posture. Its surface is covered with fine hairs, providing a slightly rough texture. It typically reaches heights of up to 3 feet (90 cm), with minimal or no branching, maintaining a simplistic structure. The central stem prominently supports the head-like cluster of flowers, making it a key feature for identification. The overall robustness and sparse branching pattern are distinctive characteristics of this plant's stem.
The fruit of maltese cross is an intriguing ovoid capsule, approximately 1/3 inch (about 8.5 mm) in length. Upon maturity, it reveals its seeds by splitting open into five distinct lobes. Contained within are numerous reddish-brown, kidney-shaped seeds, small in size, with dimensions ranging from 0.7 to 1 mm in diameter. This botanic capsule and its seed characteristics are noteworthy for those with a budding interest in plant identification.
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Scientific Classification of Maltese cross