Dianthus pavonius


Dianthus pavonius, the peacock-eye pink, is a herbaceous perennial plant of the genus Dianthus of the family Caryophyllaceae.

Etymology

The genus name Dianthus derives from the Greek words for divine and flower, while the species name pavonius comes from the Latin "pavo" and means "like a peacock".

Description

Dianthus pavonius is a hemicryptophyte ''scapose'' plant reaching in height. This short-stemmed carnation occurs in dense clumps. It has bluish-greenish pointed leaves and purple-pink coloured flowers, with a blue or brown heart. The flowering period extends from April through May. The fruits are cylindrical capsules with several flat brown seeds.

Distribution

This species is mainly present in the southern Alps in France and Italy and in the Pyrenees.

Habitat

Dianthus pavonius grows in grassland and prefers sunny areas and moderately nutrient-rich moist soil, at an altitude of above sea level.