Catchfly catching motorists' attention

WASILLA -- Motorists using the new Palmer-Wasilla Highway to Knik-Goose Bay Road have inundated city and state officials with phone calls. They aren't complaints, they're compliments and questions.

"We've had a ton of calls asking us what those flowers are," said city of Wasilla's Jana Griffin. "People have been calling and saying that they really like the flowers and they were wondering what they are."

The bright pink and purple flowers are known as a Catchfly. Griffin said they are a perennial, and DOT officials are hoping the flower comes back year after year.

The flower is native to Europe but has naturalized through North America. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and is hearty in various soil types. According to the Texas A&M horticulture school, the flower is a good choice for floral gardens, disturbed areas and roadsides.

"The stem exudes a sticky sap that captures small insects that try to steal nectar without pollinating the flowers. Hence, the common name, Catchfly," the Texas A&M Web site explains.

The Latin name for the flower is Silene armeria (caryophyllacceae).