Chiba University Matsudo/Kashiwa Campus Plant Database

Details of genus: Dianthus L. [16]

genus_ja:

genus_en: Carnation, Pink

# spp.:

pub_year:

accepted: Accepted

Family: Caryophyllaceae

family_ja: ナデシコ

Infra familial classification:

distribution_en: Eurasia to S.Africa

description_en: Genus of over 300 species of low-growing, evergreen subshrubs and perennials, annuals, and biennials - including the popular bedding plant D. barbatus (Sweet William) - found in mountains and meadows in Europe, Asia, and southern Africa. The tens of thousands of cultivars, bred for garden use and exhibition, are usually divided into several subgroups, described below. The leaves of all Dianthus species and cultivars are linear to lance-shaped, mostly pointed, and often blue-grey or grey-green with a waxy bloom. Leaves of the alpine species are 1.5-5cm (1/2-2in) long; those of carnations and larger pinks may be up to 13cm (5in) long. Carnations and pinks are similar in habit and flower, although pinks are smaller and frequently have fewer petals, often distinctively patterned. Both are grown mainly for their flowers, borne in profusion over a long period in summer, and exceptionally long-lasting when cut. The blooms are often fragrant (referred to as "clove-scented"), and are solitary or borne in few- to many-flowered, terminal, cyme-like umbels or cymes. Each flower has a short tubular base and usually 5 spreading tepals (fully double cultivars have up to 60); these are some-times toothed or fringed, and bearded. For exhibition purposes, carnations and pinks are grouped according to the colouring and marking of their flowers (see panel below). Carnations and pinks are also divided into the following broader subgroups:

hardiness_en: Fully hardy, except for perpetual-flowering and Malmaison carnations, which are half hardy.

cultivation_en:

propagation_en: Sow seed of alpine species in containers in a cold frame from autumn to early spring. Sow seed of annuals at 13-15°C (55-59°F) in early spring. Sow biennials in situ in autumn or at 13°C (55°F) in early spring to flower in the same year. Take cuttings from non-flowering shoots of perennial Dianthus species and pinks in summer, and of perpetual-flowering and Malmaison carnations in late winter. Layer border carnations after flowering.

pests_en: Aphids and slugs may weaken garden plants. Aphids, thrips, tortrix moth caterpillars, and red spider mites may damage carnations under glass. Rust affects the leaves and stems of carnations and pinks, and of D. barbatus. Virus diseases and Fusarium wilt are easily transmitted by aphids.

description_ja:

comment:

comment_ja: ナデシコ，セキチク，カーネーション(carnation)

type_species:

Phylogenetic definition:

Update Information: Created: 2007-12-06 12:51; Updated: 2022-03-09 15:20

family: