Fire Pink

Description:

A native wildflower known for its distinct brilliant red flowers. Each flower is approximately five centimeters in diameter and composed of five notched, brilliant red petals which extend into a long tube. It is a small (20-80 cm tall), short-lived perennial (2-3 years), with lance shaped leaves. Its stems, and the bases of the flowers, are covered in short sticky hairs.[1] Fire Pink begins blooming in late spring and continuing throughout the summer. Fire Pink's principal pollinator is the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), which is attracted by the flowers bright red petals and sugary nectar.[3]

Habitat:

Fire Pink grows in open woods and rocky deciduous slopes in eastern North America, ranging as far north as extreme southern Ontario.

Notes:

Spotted growing along road to Cooper's Furnace Day Use Area at Allatoona Dam Cartersville, GA