Catchfly, or Viscous Campion, in botany: A genus of plants belonging to the class of dianthus, and order of tricygia; and in the natural system arranged under the 2nd order, Caryophyllae. The calyx is verticifloro; the petals are five in number, bifid and unguiculated, and crowned by a nectary; the capsule is cylindrical, covered, and trilocular. There are 26 species, of which 7 are natives of Britain and Ireland.

1. Anglica, the small corn campion or catchfly. The stem is weak, hairy, and above a foot high; the leaves are oblong, and grow in pairs at the joints; the flowers are small, white, and entire; they stand on footstalks which issue from the axils of the leaves; they are erect, alternate, fingle, and lateral. It grows in corn-fields, and flowers in June and July.

2. Nutans, Nottingham catchfly. The stem is about two feet high, and firm; the radical leaves are broad, obtuse, and grow in a tuft; those on the stem are narrow and acute: the flowers are white, and grow in lateral panicles; the petals are bifid and curled; the calyx is long, bellying a little, with ten longitudinal striae. It grows in pastures, and flowers in June and July.

3. Amana, sea-campion. The stem is two or three feet long, slender, procumbent, and branched alternately: the leaves are long and narrow; the flowers are white, and grow on opposite footstalks, three on each, in unilateral bunches: the calyx is hairy and purplish, and has ten angles. It grows on the south coast, and flowers in June and July.

4. Conoidea, greater corn catchfly, or campion. The leaves are narrow and soft; the calyx is conical, with 30 striae; the flowers proceed from the divarications of the stem; the petals are entire. It grows in corn-fields, and flowers in June.

5. Noctiflora, night-flowering catchfly. The stem is about two feet high, and forked; the calyx has ten angles, is somewhat clammy, and oval, with longer teeth than the other species; the petals are of a reddish white.

6. Armeria, broad-leaved catchfly. The stem is about 18 inches high, and erect, with few branches; the leaves are smooth, fleshy, and broad at the base; the flowers terminal, in fasciate bundles, small, and red. It may be seen on the banks of rivers, and is in flower in July and August.

7. Acutis, moss campion. The radical leaves are spread on the ground like a tuft of moss; the stalks are about an inch long, and naked, bearing each a single purple flower. This last species grows on mountains, and has been found, in Wales and Scotland, within half a mile from their top. It is in flower in July.