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Caryophyllaceae
Dianthus

not marked as a favorite taxon *Dianthus armeria Linnaeus. Common name: Deptford Pink. Phenology: May-Sep. Habitat: Fields, roadsides, pastures. Distribution: Native of Europe.

Glossary (beta!)

Origin/Endemic status: Eurasia

Taxonomy Comments: Subspecies are sometimes recognized [see Rabeler & Hartman (2005f), for instance], with the second one, ssp. armeriastrum (Wolfner) Velenovský, native to Eurasia and not known to be introduced in North America. It has been elevated to species rank, as Dianthus corymbosus (POWO 2025).

Synonymy ⓘ: = C, F, Fl4, G, GrPl, Il, K1, K4, Mi, NcTx, NE, NS, Pa, POWO, RAB, S, S13, Tat, Tn, W, WH3, WV, Fassou et al (2022); = Dianthus armeria L. ssp. armeria — Ar, Can, FNA5, Mo2, NSProv, NY, Va. Basionym: Dianthus armeria L. 1753

Links to other floras: = Dianthus armeria ssp. armeria - FNA5

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: UPL
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: UPL
  • Great Plains: UPL
  • Midwest: UPL
  • Northcentral & Northeast: UPL

Heliophily ⓘ: 9

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image #1 of Dianthus armeria© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image #2 of Dianthus armeria© Erin Haase, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Erin Haase source CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
image #3 of Dianthus armeria© harrylurling, some rights reserved (CC BY-ND), uploaded by harrylurling source CC-BY-ND | Original Image ⭷
image #4 of Dianthus armeria© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image #5 of Dianthus armeria© Tara Rose Littlefield, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Tara Rose Littlefield source CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
image #6 of Dianthus armeria© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
image #7 of Dianthus armeria© harrylurling, some rights reserved (CC BY-ND), uploaded by harrylurling source CC-BY-ND | Original Image ⭷
image #8 of Dianthus armeria© Eric M Powell, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Eric M Powell source CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
image #9 of Dianthus armeria© Nate Hartley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Nate Hartley source CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
image #10 of Dianthus armeria© Quinten Wiegersma, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Quinten Wiegersma source CC-BY | Original Image ⭷
image #11 of Dianthus armeria© Eric M Powell, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Eric M Powell source CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
image #12 of Dianthus armeria© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: Erect annual/biennial of fields, roadsides and pastures. Native of Europe.

Stems: Stems simple or with 1-2 slender branches from the base, knobby where paired leaves meet, hairy.

Leaves: Leaves opposite, pairs joined at base by a stem-encircling sheath, linear or narrowly lance-shaped, 1-3 in. long, hairy.

Inforescence:

Flowers: Flowers in narrow clusters at top of stem and from upper leaf axils, pink with white and darker pink spots, 1/2 in. wide, consisting of 5 spreading petals that are toothed at the tip, these surrounded by 3 needle-like bracts.

Fruits: Fruit a narrow capsule.

Comments:

Height: 6-24 in.

plant sale text:

bloom table text:

description: Erect annual/biennial of fields, roadsides and pastures. Native of Europe.

stems: Stems simple or with 1-2 slender branches from the base, knobby where paired leaves meet, hairy.

leaves: Leaves opposite, pairs joined at base by a stem-encircling sheath, linear or narrowly lance-shaped, 1-3 in. long, hairy.

inflorescence:

flowers: Flowers in narrow clusters at top of stem and from upper leaf axils, pink with white and darker pink spots, 1/2 in. wide, consisting of 5 spreading petals that are toothed at the tip, these surrounded by 3 needle-like bracts.

fruits: Fruit a narrow capsule.

comments:

cultural notes:

germination code:

native range: