[f. CATCH v. + FLY sb.] A name originally given by Gerard to Silene Armeria (see quot.); now used for Lychnis Viscaria and the various species of Silene.
1597. Gerard, Herbal, clxxvi. § 1. 482. I have called it Catchflie, or Lime woort. The whole plant, as wel leaues as stalkes, and also the flowers, are couered ouer with a most thicke and clammie matter like vnto Birde lime.
1656. W. Coles, Art of Simpling, ix. 29. Some have a viscous matter adhering to it, as Catchfly.
1741. Compl. Fam.-Piece, II. iii. 362. Hardy annual Flowers, as … sweet-scented Peas, Lobel’s Catch-fly. Ibid., 373. Double Catchfly.
1776. Withering, Bot. Arrangem. (1796), II. 413. Silene anglica, English Catchfly.
1863. Baring-Gould, Iceland, 192. Among the pebbles grows the red alpine catchfly.
