The Carthusian Pink Flower

The Carthusian pink (Dianthus carthusianorum) is a plant belonging to the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae). The species is on the Dutch Red List of plants as very rare and very much reduced. The plant is spread and is more common in Amsterdam. The plant is native to Central and Southeast Europe, especially on mountain slopes. The plant is found in monastery gardens and by the Carthusian monks used for soap because of saponins, but also against rheumatism.


The plant is 30-45 cm high. The narrow leaves are long and the leaf sheaths 1-2 cm long. The Carthusian pink blossoms from June to August with red, rarely white, flowers 2-2,5 cm wide. The petals are serrated and the membranous scales under the calyx are brown and suddenly a narrow 2-4 mm long section. Inflorescence with short-stemmed flowers, head-like flowers with four to fifteen. One gram of seeds contains about 1000 seeds.


The Carthusian pink is for the grass on sandy soils. It is a host for the moth Coleophora dianthi.




Source: http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kartuizer_anjer

See also: International Flower Delivery, Florist