The sticky catchfly does not grow on every hill. It is somewhat demanding in its choice of habitat as it requires a rocky place with nutrients. It grows sporadically on rocks broken by fortification work and the sand heaps atop them. It is often confused with the red campion, which is much more common in Helsinki. You can feel how sticky the plant is by touching its stem. It is often referred to as the ‘tar flower’ (tervakukka).